Lot n° 106
Estimation :
300 - 600
EUR
Result with fees
Result
: 494EUR
Maxime REAL DEL SARTE (1888–1954) - Lot 106
Maxime REAL DEL SARTE (1888–1954)
To the Soldier King 1876–1934
Studio plaster cast of the monument to King Albert I.
Missing pieces.
D_56 x 31 x 21 cm
This plaster sculpture is a design model for the monument dedicated to King Albert I of Belgium, erected in 1936 on Place Godefroy de Bouillon in Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle). The original, monumental work measures approximately 5 meters wide by 6 meters long and weighs nearly five metric tons. It combines an imposing lion lying in the round with lictor’s fasces carved from a single block of Belgian granite, along with several bronze elements. These bronze elements include, notably, the effigy of King Albert I, depicted in a three-quarter profile and wearing a helmet, surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel, as well as a sword bearing the royal crown on its pommel and an olive branch on its blade. The bronze elements of the original work were created by the sculptor Maxime Real del Sarte using the traditional lost-wax casting technique.
The monument pays tribute to Albert I, nicknamed the “Soldier King,” a major figure in Belgium during World War I. The various elements that make up the monument are highly symbolic: the lion evokes strength and courage; the sword recalls the monarch’s military role; while the laurel and oak wreaths symbolize honor, victory, and strength. The olive branch, meanwhile, adds a dimension of peace and reconciliation.
The monument’s history began in 1934, following the death of King Albert I. A public fundraising campaign was launched in October of that year, followed by a street collection in July 1935. The project received successive approvals from the Nancy City Council, the departmental arts commission, and the President of the Republic. Construction began in August 1936, and the monument was dedicated on October 4, 1936. It is made entirely of Belgian granite from the Avins quarry in the Ourthe Valley.
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