Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Patinated Plaster Sculpture by Joseph Zomers

Description

Statuette of a naked woman sitting in patinated plaster of Paris; plaster of Paris, is a very resistant material, used … more Statuette of a naked woman sitting in patinated plaster of Paris; plaster of Paris, is a very resistant material, used since ancient times, it was used by the ancient Egyptians as a binder in the construction of the pyramids and is used in sculpture for its strength, the name is linked to the ancient quarries of Montmartre in Paris; the statue is a work of the famous Belgian sculptor and bronze artist Joseph Zomers which he executed between 1915 and 1920 and whose signature is on the pedestal. It is an object in perfect Art Nouveau style (Jugendstil)
Joseph Zomers was born in Liege in Belgium in 1895 and died in 1928; he studied art in Maredsous (Belgium), many of his works are permanently exhibited at the Musèe de Liège; Zomers is well known for his public monument "Tchantchès" in Liege. This great work in stone and bronze is located in the Otremeuse district in Rue Pont-Saint-Nicolas; designed by Joseph Zomers, the statue represents a "hiercheuse", the name was given to the women who pulled the carts in the mine, a tribute to those valiant young people vilified and victims of the exploitation of women's labor, the woman holds aloft the puppet of Tchantchès. Tchantchès is the name given to a puppet that appeared in Liège in the 19th century. The popular character, Tchantchès became over time the archetype of the goodman of Liege, witty and good-natured, wise and subtle, quick to find resolutions and fertile in resources, when he is depressed, he recovers with a joke that reveals the popular Walloon citizen, mocking and sentimental. It was therefore fitting to erect a monument to these two popular and significant symbols of the proud city of Liège. Zomers died in 1928 and did not see the monument inaugurated in 1936! Measures width 11 cm, depth 15 cm, height 38 cm. less