20th C. French Bronze Bust

Description

Imposing antique bust of Raymond Poincare signed and dated "A. Descatoire, 1913", using the lost-wax casting. Lost-wax casting (also called … more Imposing antique bust of Raymond Poincare signed and dated "A. Descatoire, 1913", using the lost-wax casting. Lost-wax casting (also called "investment casting", "precision casting", or "cire perdue" in French) is the process by which a duplicate metal sculpture (often silver, gold, brass or bronze) is cast from an original sculpture. Beautiful dark green patina with fine detailed work. Raymond Poincare (1860–1934) was a French statesman who served three times as Prime Minister of France, and as President of France from 1913 to 1920. He was a conservative leader, primarily committed to political and social stability. Alexandre Descatoire (1874-1949) was a bust sculptor and a pupil of Andre-Louis-Adolphe Laoust and Emile Thomas. He obtained the second Grand Prix de Rome in 1902 and received a travel grant in 1905. He exposed regularly in Paris at the Salon des Artistes Francais. Officer of the Legion of Honor, he was elected member of the Academy des Beaux Arts in 1939. He often worked in lost wax technique. Most of his work was dedicated to the soldiers of the First World War. less