RUDE, François

Dijon, Côte-d'Or 1784 - Paris 1855

Tête de Gaulois

Head of a Gaul

c. 1833-1835

bronze

head

Dimensions (HxWxD): 24 ¹⁄₂ x 12 ³⁄₄ x 12 ¹⁄₄ in.

Acc. No.: 124:1987

Credit Line: Gift of J. Lionberger Davis by exchange

Photo credit: Saint Louis Art Museum

© Artist : public domain

© Artist : public domain

Saint Louis, Missouri, Saint Louis Art Museum

www.slam.org

Provenance

• 1987, Gift of J. Lionberger Davis by exchange

Bibliography

• Museum's website, June 18, 2015
• 2011 Saint Louis Art Museum
  European Reinstallation Romanticism, Saint Louis Art Museum Magazine, July-September 2011

Comment

• Museum's website, June 18, 2015:
  In this dramatic sculpture, the wide-open eyes and animated expression suggest the patriotic fervor of an aged warrior as he sets off for battle. This head is based on the central figure from François Rude’s greatest work, "The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792," created for the façade of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Rude’s dynamic approach to the modeling of form is particularly evident in the warrior’s swirling, serpentine hair.

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