Late 19th Century Paul Edouard Delabriere, French Thoroughbred Race Horse Bronze Sculpture

Description

This is an equestrian sculpture of a Race Horse or Polo Pony of exquisite beauty. It is signed Delabrierre and … more This is an equestrian sculpture of a Race Horse or Polo Pony of exquisite beauty. It is signed Delabrierre and does not appear to have any foundry marks. from my research I think this might be cast iron, A material he was known for. it might be bronze I am not positive. it is not dated but it definitely has age to it.

Paul-Edouard Delabrierre (1829-1912)

Edouard Delabriere was born in Paris in 1829. Delabrierre was an important member of the Animalier school in the late 19th Century. Having been educated by the painter Jean Baptiste-Delestre, he found his true talent in sculpture and later made his debut at the Salon of 1848, where he showed a wax model titled ‘Terrier holding a Hare’. Between 1848 and 1898 he regularly exhibited his lifelike sculptures at the Salon des Artistes Français, where he received an award in 1859. In addition Delabrierre was a member of the Société des Artistes Français. His expressive animal figures and bronze groups shows the influence of Antoine-Louis Barye. The façade of the Louvre incorporated one of his most ambitious pieces ‘L’Equitation’ which he sculpted in 1857. His work can also be found in the Museum of Amiens. Delabrierre was an important member of the Animalier school in late 19th century Paris, and the last two years of his career, introduced cast iron as a legitimate material for sculpture. His well finished, detailed and realistic depictions of animals, particularly lions, make him one of the greatest Animalier sculptors. Delabrierre died in 1912.
A complete list of the 70 works that Delabrierre submitted to the annual Salons can be found in the Dictionnaire de Sculpteurs de l'ecole Francaise by Stanaslas Lami." less