after Henri Chapu - Statue, Jeanne d'Arc - 23 cm - Plaster

Beautiful and antique plaster statuette depicting Joan of Arc in Domrémy, after the famous model by the French sculptor Henri-Michel-Antoine Chapu (1833-1891).

Joan of Arc is portrayed kneeling, hands joined, in an attitude of contemplation, listening to the « voices » that announce her mission.

The model of Joan of Arc in Domrémy was created by Henri Chapu around 1870. The work achieved considerable success and was issued in different sizes and materials. The monumental marble version, executed in 1872, is today preserved at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

The present piece is an ancient plaster reduction issued by the house Ferdinand Barbedienne, a famous Parisian house of publishing and art casting in the 19th century.

The statuette bears several inscriptions and marks allowing its identification:

« Chapu » on the terrace,
« JEANNE D’ARC » on the base,
and the recessed stamp « BARBEDIENNE / EDITEUR » on the reverse.

An example in plaster issued by Barbedienne and kept in the collections of the Orléans museums is dated to the period 1875-1899, which constitutes a particularly interesting point of comparison for this statuette.

Height: 23 cm.
Material: molded plaster.
Origin: France.
Era proposed: last quarter of the 19th century.
Model: Henri Chapu (1833-1891).
Publisher: Ferdinand Barbedienne.
Subject: Joan of Arc in Domrémy.

The statuette is presented in its old condition, with patina, dirt, wear and small flaws related to its age. These are deliberately left visible and are shown precisely in the photographs.

The photographs of the inscriptions Chapu, Jeanne d’Arc and Barbedienne Éditeur are an integral part of the description and allow a direct appreciation of the markings of the offered piece.