Author(s):
clésinger, auguste (jean-baptiste auguste clésinger, dit) (besançon, 22–10–1814 - paris, 06–01–1883), author of the model
other titles:
the french republic, constitution, february 25, 1875 (dummy title), furniture in victor hugo's bedroom, avenue d'eylau / avenue victor hugo (title of the whole)
production date: in 1878
dating in century: 4th quarter of the 19th century
type(s) of object(s): sculpture
name(s): statue
materials and techniques: plaster
dimensions - artwork:
height: 65cm
width: 32cm
depth: 37 cm
description:
gilded plaster statue
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
handwritten inscription - at the back, on a label stuck transversely: “this statue of clesinger is the one / [-the? even who was in victor hugo's room / at the head of his bed. / on the death of v. Hugo it was given by / mrs. Lockroy to v. Hugo's nephew, / count léopold hugo, from whom i inherited it. (the one which is in the v. Hugo museum, place / royale, is only a copy without authenticity) mis de montferrier »
signature - on the right side, at the base of the seat: j. Clesinger 1878"
ex-dono - on the left side, at the base of the base: "to victor hugo february 26, 1879 j. Clésinger"
inscription - on the tablet held by the republic: "french republique / ---- / constitution february 25 / 1875": at the bottom of the breastplate, partly hidden by the folds of the toga: "suffr[age] / uni[versel
number - rear, on seat back: "4"
iconographic description:
allegorical figure of the french republic commemorating the constitution promulgated on february 25, 1875
historical commentary:
this statuette is a reduction of the monumental sculpture presented by clésinger at the universal exhibition of 1878 and responding to a state commission to celebrate the constitution of the third republic adopted in 1875. This example was offered by the sculptor to victor hugo for his 77th birthday, february 26, 1879. The statue remained in victor hugo's room until his death, placed on the chiffonier as can be seen on several illustrations and paintings. It was his nephew, léopold hugo, son of abel hugo and julie duvidal de montferrier who inherited it. Then passed to the marquis de montferrier, the latter offered it to the museum in 1939. It could then be placed in victor hugo's room to replace the print that paul meurice had ordered to allow its reconstruction at the opening of the museum (mvhps1474). Themes / subjects / places represented:
allegory
acquisition method: manual donation
name of donor, testator, seller: montferrier, de, marquis
date of acquisition: 1939
institution: maison de victor hugo - hauteville house
inventory number: 1733. Date: En 1878.
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