& Susse Lost Wax Bibelot . An important bronze sculpture By the great Jewish
Master animalier , Estampille
1-
Cire perdue Lost Wax Stamp “La Lionne”
by Roger Godchaux. See Photo
2-
2- With
A Stamp of Susse. See Photo
3-
3- the signature of the Artist on the bronze.
See Photo
Incredible Executed and very fine details with Dark Brown
Patina with a hue of green . The movement of the lionesse is very graceful and
sinuous (as most of the lion Sculpture he produced) Mounted on a black stone
base 5 1/2″ x 11 1/2″ Antique Dealer West Hollywood CA Melrose Ave La
Cienega Blvd. Godchaux Né à Vendôme le 21 décembre 1878 et mort le 6 mars 1958
à Paris.
Roger Godchaux Sculpteur animalier regularly produces animal
drawings and paintings. Thus, unlike his sculptures which mainly represent wild
animals, especially elephants and felines that he was going to study at the
Jardin des Plantes, his paintings are often inspired by farm animals that he
could observe in a small village of Brie where lived the mother of his
companion. He also paints commissioned portraits or portraits of his family or
friends, such as Gaston Switzerland or René Huchet .
But it is above all a sculptor. He made some works by direct
carving of the wood. However, he mainly worked by modeling the earth. It treats
surfaces by smoothing and oblique streaks. In this respect, unlike other animal
sculptors like Édouard-Marcel Sandoz , François Pompon or Armand Petersen whose
works are smooth, his work is close to the art of Paul Jouve which leaves
apparent textures.
The lioness is finished with Godchaux’s distinctive surface
modeling where the flesh is left textured like a wax model on the artists
bench, still being formed and tooled. Godchaux’s animal work is characterized
by gentleness and a sensitivity towards his subjects that showcases their
playfulness and personality. This is captured beautifully in the present
example where her curiosity and intensity of focus are fully developed; the
anatomical and muscular realism is noteworthy. The naturalistic base is signed
in his standard script “Roger Godchaux” and is also signed “Susse Fres. Edit.
Paris” with the Susse cachet; a tiny stamp “France” is impressed into the edge
below the cachet.
Models in mud are most often cast plaster. It is often in
this material that he exhibits in Salons and galleries. The works for sale are
cast in bronze. They are entrusted to famous founders like Susse , with whom he
signs publishing contracts, or Valsuani . He also works with lesser known
smelters like Gatti, Andro or Planquette. Some of his bronzes do not wear a
cast iron seal. While there are some large models, most are modest in size,
easily finding their place in collectors’ homes.
Some of his works are terracotta or sandstone. Models were
published by Susse both in bronze and terracotta. Terracotta remains raw or is
glazed. He also worked at the Sèvres factory in the late 1930s. Roger Godchaux
, born in Vendôme on December 21 , 1878 and dead the March 6 , 1958in Paris ,
is a painter , draftsman and sculptor of animals French . If all domestic and
wild bestiary is part of his artistic universe, it is the wild beasts and
elephants that have been his favorite subjects. Figurative sculptor, he
represents the animal without artifice, in his attitudes of everyday life.
Roger Godchaux’s father is an antique dealer. His mother,
Jeanne Godchaux, is a concert pianist. He has a brother Yvan with whom he
studies in Vendôme under the care of his maternal grandparents, music teachers
in high school. Having joined Paris, he prepared in 1894 admission to the
School of Fine Arts . He soon turned to animal art . He became a pupil of Jules
Adler and Jean-Léon Gérôme . In 1896, he is a pupil of the Julian Academy .
Great admirer of Antoine-Louis Barye , he will build a collection of works
produced in the workshop of the master 1 . In 1905, he began to exhibit in
Paris. He regularly participates in the Salon des artistes français .
In 1914, he was mobilized in Saint-Lô . Reformed, he is
assigned to the offices of the Ministry of War. During this period, he put his
drawing skills at the service of propaganda for the Allies. After the war, he
saw rue Descombes . He resumes the exhibitions at the Salon des artistes
français where, in 1922, he won the bronze medal. The state orders two bronze
plates for the Army Museum Library . In 1924, his second companion gives him a
daughter, Luce. In 1925, the jury of the International Exhibition of Modern
Decorative and Industrial Arts awarded him a silver medal. In 1927, he won the
contest of car manufacturer Chenard and Walcker for the creation of an emblem
for their cars. In February 1928, the State bought him a bronze sculpture:
Elephant , exhibited at the National Salon of animal artists, of which he
becomes the treasurer in November of the same year. It was at this time that
the Newark Museum in the United States bought him works. It was also in 1928
that he won the silver medal at the Salon des artistes français. In 1929, the
state bought him a sculpture ( Pigeon ) again.
During the inter-war period, he exhibited regularly in
various galleries: Galerie Charpentier , Galerie Georges Petit , Galerie Edgar
Brandt , group of animals of the Malesherbes Art Gallery. He has friendly
relations with other animals, including Henri Valette and Gaston Switzerland,
with whom he regularly works at the Jardin des Plantes . In 1937, he signed a
contract with the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres for the edition of
terracotta.
During the Second World War , he stayed in Paris and
continued to work in his studio on Boileau Street , but was forced to wear the
yellow star . He lives with his girlfriend and daughter Avenue de La
Motte-Picquet . His brother Yvan was deported to Mauthausen and shot on
December 29, 1943, as well as his wife, Yvonne Fanny Aron, to Auschwitz who
died on October 12, 1943 for acts of resistance.
After the war, he occupied a workshop at 3 rue
Vercingetorix, which he kept until his death. He exhibited again at the Salon
of French artists and the Volney Circle . In 1947, he received an order from
the Autonomous Port of Bordeaux to execute a commemorative plaque of the dead
Agents during the war. He will also be asked to build the pediment of the
Cap-Ferret Lighthouse . In 1953, the state bought him a sculpture.
Dimensions: Height: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)Width: 10.5 in (26.67
cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm) weight 15lbs
