Today we would like to present to you an ancient bronze sculpture.
Brown male figure „Dockworker in Antwerp” by Meunier, better known as „Le debardeur du port d’Anverse”, by the renowned Belgian sculptor Constantinus Emile Meunier (1831–1905). Dockworkers are people who load and unload ships, today more commonly called dockers. Avoiding mizerabilism, „Dockworker in Antwerp” sculpted by Meunier has become an archetypal representation of alienation through work. The first wax version was exhibited as early as 1885 in Brussels at the Salon XX. When a large plaster cast was presented in Paris at the Salon Société nationale des Beaux-arts in 1889, critics were enthusiastic: „...never before has such tragic and moving expression, such great energy, such oppression, such suffering and such resignation been dedicated to a figure with such intensity”.
As early as 1890, the French government purchased this bronze specimen. In Belgium, a life-sized Dockworker was placed on the main square of Antwerp, which ultimately became a city symbol. After 1893, bronze versions of various sizes were created, as well as a bust, naturally titled Antwerp.
The sculpture presented here is a dark patinated earth cast in good condition: the only inconsistency is the signature on the back. It originates from Belgium or France and dates to the early 20th century.
Height: 44.5 cm
Width: 24 cm
Depth: 18.5 cm
More information: biuro@luxuryproducts.pl
