Henri Chapu
Encyclopedia
Henri-Michel-Antoine Chapu (29 September 1833 – 21 April 1891) was a French
sculptor
in a modified Neoclassical
tradition who was known for his use of allegory in his works.
into modest circumstances, Chapu moved to Paris with his family and in 1847 entered the Petit École with the intention of studying drawing and becoming an interior decorator. There his talents began to be recognized and he was admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts
in 1849. In 1850 he began working and studying with a well known sculptor James Pradier
. Following Pradier's death in 1852 Chapu began studying with another sculptor, Francisque Duret
. After coming in second in 1851, he won the Prix de Rome
in 1855, then spent five years in Italy
. His statues Mercury of 1861 and Jeanne d'Arc of 1870 (in which she was represented as a peasant girl) were his first big successes, and led to many commissions thereafter. He is also known for his medal
s, and led the French revival in the medal as an artistic form.
An Officer of the French Legion of Honor,, Chapu died in Paris in 1891.
At least four full-scale reproductions of Jeanne d'Arc are on permanent display at American universities in Virginia: in McConnell Library at Radford University
in Radford, Virginia, beneath the rotunda in Ruffner Hall at Longwood University
in Farmville, Virginia
, at James Madison University
, and at the University of Mary Washington
.
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...
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...
in a modified Neoclassical
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
tradition who was known for his use of allegory in his works.
Life and career
Born in Le Mée-sur-SeineLe Mée-sur-Seine
Le Mée-sur-Seine is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France. It is located in the south-eastern suburbs of Paris from the center.-History:* B.C. : the Sénons may have lived here....
into modest circumstances, Chapu moved to Paris with his family and in 1847 entered the Petit École with the intention of studying drawing and becoming an interior decorator. There his talents began to be recognized and he was admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
in 1849. In 1850 he began working and studying with a well known sculptor James Pradier
James Pradier
James Pradier, also known as Jean-Jacques Pradier was a Swiss-born French sculptor best known for his work in the neoclassical style.-Life and work:...
. Following Pradier's death in 1852 Chapu began studying with another sculptor, Francisque Duret
Francisque Joseph Duret
Francisque Joseph Duret was a French sculptor, son and pupil of François-Joseph Duret .He also studied under Bosio, and won the Prix de Rome in 1823. In 1833 he exhibited his "Neapolitan Fisher Dancing the Tarantella", now in the Louvre, a spirited statue in bronze, which established his reputation...
. After coming in second in 1851, he won the Prix de Rome
Prix de Rome
The Prix de Rome was a scholarship for arts students, principally of painting, sculpture, and architecture. It was created, initially for painters and sculptors, in 1663 in France during the reign of Louis XIV. It was an annual bursary for promising artists having proved their talents by...
in 1855, then spent five years in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. His statues Mercury of 1861 and Jeanne d'Arc of 1870 (in which she was represented as a peasant girl) were his first big successes, and led to many commissions thereafter. He is also known for his medal
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
s, and led the French revival in the medal as an artistic form.
An Officer of the French Legion of Honor,, Chapu died in Paris in 1891.
At least four full-scale reproductions of Jeanne d'Arc are on permanent display at American universities in Virginia: in McConnell Library at Radford University
Radford University
Radford University is one of Virginia's eight doctoral-degree granting public universities. Originally founded in 1910, Radford offers comprehensive curricula for undergraduates in more than 100 fields, and graduate programs including the M.F.A., M.B.A...
in Radford, Virginia, beneath the rotunda in Ruffner Hall at Longwood University
Longwood University
Longwood University is a four-year public, liberal-arts university located in Farmville, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1839 and became a university on July 1, 2002...
in Farmville, Virginia
Farmville, Virginia
Farmville is a town in Prince Edward and Cumberland counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 6,845 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Prince Edward County....
, at James Madison University
James Madison University
James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University...
, and at the University of Mary Washington
University of Mary Washington
The University of Mary Washington is a public, coeducational liberal arts college located in the city of Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA. Founded in 1908 by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a normal school, during much of the twentieth century it was part of the University of Virginia, until...
.
Notable works
- Monument to Henri RegnaultHenri RegnaultAlexandre-Georges-Henri Regnault was a French painter.-Biography:Regnault was born in Paris, the son of Henri Victor Regnault...
in the courtyard of Ecole des Beaux-ArtsÉcole des Beaux-ArtsÉcole des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
(1872) - Tomb of Marie d'AgoultMarie d'AgoultMarie Catherine Sophie de Flavigny, Vicomtesse de Flavigny , was a French author, known also by her married name and title, Marie, Comtesse d'Agoult, and by her pen name, Daniel Stern....
(1877) - Four Seasons on the facade of grande magasin PrintempsPrintempsPrintemps is a French department store .The flagship Printemps store is located on Boulevard Haussmann in the IXe arrondissement of Paris along with other well-known department stores like Galeries Lafayette. There are other Printemps stores in Paris and throughout France...
, Paris (1881-1889), for architect Paul SédillePaul SédillePaul Sédille was a French architect and theorist; and designed the 1880 reconstruction of the iconic Magasins du Printemps department store in Paris.- Life :... - Monument to Gustave FlaubertGustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert was a French writer who is counted among the greatest Western novelists. He is known especially for his first published novel, Madame Bovary , and for his scrupulous devotion to his art and style.-Early life and education:Flaubert was born on December 12, 1821, in Rouen,...
(1890), his last major work.