Gaston d'Illiers
Encyclopedia
Gaston d'Illiers was a French
animalier
sculptor
who specialised in horses. His bronze
statuettes are very realistic.
and showed a deep knowledge of horses. He decided to become a sculptor and took to modelling horses.
His statues were very appreciated from the start. He showed his productions in specialised exhibitions like "salon des artistes français" from 1899 to his death. He gained quite a reputation among horse experts and art connoisseurs. For example during his life the statue avant la course (before the race) was often given as a prize to the winner of a horse race or jumping.
His private life was quiet. He was a count
and spent all his life in the centre of France, in Orléans
and Olivet
.
He often went hunting on horseback with friends in the woods nearby (Orleans forest, Sologne
), and some of his works are related to hunting
: le piqueux, la curée, retour de chasse...
He went twice on trips to Algeria
in 1899 and 1910, and these trips gave him inspiration for some works which are still very appreciated: jument arabe, fauconniers, fantasia
...
During his life, Gaston d'Illiers created around 200 statues. They are all of small size, less than half a meter in each of the 3 dimensions. He modelled them in wax or plaster. The models were then molded
to produce a limited number of statues in bronze
. Most of the models have been damaged during World War II
. The manufacturing of the bronze statues is still going on with the remaining models, but on an extremely limited scale. The existing bronze statues are kept by the owners, who seldom sell them. The appearance of a Gaston d'Illiers statue in a sale or a shop is therefore a rare event.
The works of Gaston d'Illiers show all types of horse including riding horses, driving horses, military horses, and draft horse
s. Many breeds are represented: Selle français, Anglo-Arabian
, Thoroughbred
, Cob
, Boulonnais, Percheron
.
When persons are present (rider, driver, groom), they are of little importance whereas the horse remains the centre of attention.
Many works are actually portraits of real horses, which accounts for their realism and accuracy. Some are winners of jumping
: Idylle, Bulletin rose, Rosette XIV... Others are his own horses or horses belonging to acquaintances : Violette, Jack, Colibri, Esmeralda, Miss, Prince, Dolly, Sydney, sous-off, Lady Hareford, la ruade or poney Coco ruant, cheval aux champs or Coquet au trot, cheval sans terrasse or Sweetheart...
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
animalier
Animalier
An animalier is an artist, mainly from the 19th century, who specializes in, or is known for, skill in the realistic portrayal of animals. "Animal painter" is the more general term for earlier artists...
sculptor
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
who specialised in horses. His bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
statuettes are very realistic.
Biography
Gaston d'Illiers devoted all his life to his two passions: horses and sculpture. He was a very fine riderEquestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
and showed a deep knowledge of horses. He decided to become a sculptor and took to modelling horses.
His statues were very appreciated from the start. He showed his productions in specialised exhibitions like "salon des artistes français" from 1899 to his death. He gained quite a reputation among horse experts and art connoisseurs. For example during his life the statue avant la course (before the race) was often given as a prize to the winner of a horse race or jumping.
His private life was quiet. He was a count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
and spent all his life in the centre of France, in Orléans
Orléans
-Prehistory and Roman:Cenabum was a Gallic stronghold, one of the principal towns of the Carnutes tribe where the Druids held their annual assembly. It was conquered and destroyed by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, then rebuilt under the Roman Empire...
and Olivet
Olivet, Loiret
Olivet is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France.-Geography:Olivet is located in the septentrional bend of the Loire, which crosses from east to west. Olivet belongs to the vallée de la Loire sector between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire, which was in 2000 inscribed by...
.
He often went hunting on horseback with friends in the woods nearby (Orleans forest, Sologne
Sologne
Sologne , a region of north-central France extending over portions of the départements of Loiret, Loir-et-Cher and Cher...
), and some of his works are related to hunting
Fox hunting
Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, chase, and sometimes killing of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.Fox hunting originated in its current...
: le piqueux, la curée, retour de chasse...
He went twice on trips to Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
in 1899 and 1910, and these trips gave him inspiration for some works which are still very appreciated: jument arabe, fauconniers, fantasia
Fantasia (culture)
Fantasia is a traditional equestrian performance practiced during cultural festivals in Morocco,and occurs traditionally to close up berber wedding celebrations in Maghreb...
...
Works
The works of Gaston d'Illiers, small bronze horses, are fine and elegant works of art. They are particularly appreciated by horse lovers because of their precision and fidelity to nature.During his life, Gaston d'Illiers created around 200 statues. They are all of small size, less than half a meter in each of the 3 dimensions. He modelled them in wax or plaster. The models were then molded
Molding (process)
Molding or moulding is the process of manufacturing by shaping pliable raw material using a rigid frame or model called a pattern....
to produce a limited number of statues in bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
. Most of the models have been damaged during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The manufacturing of the bronze statues is still going on with the remaining models, but on an extremely limited scale. The existing bronze statues are kept by the owners, who seldom sell them. The appearance of a Gaston d'Illiers statue in a sale or a shop is therefore a rare event.
The works of Gaston d'Illiers show all types of horse including riding horses, driving horses, military horses, and draft horse
Draft horse
A draft horse , draught horse or dray horse , less often called a work horse or heavy horse, is a large horse bred for hard, heavy tasks such as ploughing and farm labour...
s. Many breeds are represented: Selle français, Anglo-Arabian
Anglo-Arabian
The Anglo-Arabian or Anglo-Arab is a crossbred horse that now also has its own status as a horse breed. It is a Thoroughbred crossed with an Arabian. The cross can be made between a Thoroughbred stallion and an Arabian mare, or vice-versa...
, Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
, Cob
Cob (horse)
A cob is a small horse, usually of a stout build, with strong bones, large joints, and steady disposition; it is a body type of horse rather than a specific breed...
, Boulonnais, Percheron
Percheron
The Percheron is a breed of draft horse that originated in the Perche valley in northern France. Percherons are usually gray or black in color. They are well-muscled, and known for their intelligence and willingness to work. Although their exact origins are unknown, the ancestors of the breed were...
.
When persons are present (rider, driver, groom), they are of little importance whereas the horse remains the centre of attention.
Many works are actually portraits of real horses, which accounts for their realism and accuracy. Some are winners of jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
: Idylle, Bulletin rose, Rosette XIV... Others are his own horses or horses belonging to acquaintances : Violette, Jack, Colibri, Esmeralda, Miss, Prince, Dolly, Sydney, sous-off, Lady Hareford, la ruade or poney Coco ruant, cheval aux champs or Coquet au trot, cheval sans terrasse or Sweetheart...
See also
- AnimalierAnimalierAn animalier is an artist, mainly from the 19th century, who specializes in, or is known for, skill in the realistic portrayal of animals. "Animal painter" is the more general term for earlier artists...
, French artists specialized in realistic portrayal of animals