Henri Michel Chapu (1833-1891) was a French sculptor who was born in Le Mée-sur-Seine, France. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under the renowned sculptor James Pradier. Chapu quickly gained recognition for his talent and skill in creating sculptures characterised by their grace, elegance, and emotional depth.

Chapu’s works often depicted mythological and allegorical subjects, as well as portraits of notable figures. He was influenced by the Neoclassical style but also incorporated elements of Romanticism into his sculptures. Some of his notable works include the statue of Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc) and the monument to Auguste Dauphin de Voulon.

Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) was a prominent French metalworker and founder of the Barbedienne foundry in Paris. The foundry was renowned for its high-quality bronze casting and was highly sought after by artists of the 19th century. Barbedienne collaborated with numerous sculptors and artists, including Henri Chapu, to produce bronze editions of their works.

Barbedienne’s foundry employed advanced techniques in bronze casting, ensuring the highest level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Their bronzes were known for their exceptional quality, finish, and patina. The collaboration between Chapu and Barbedienne resulted in the production of numerous bronze sculptures that are highly prized by collectors and art enthusiasts.

Achille Collas (1795-1859) was a French engineer and inventor. He is best known for his invention of the reduction process, also known as the Collas process, which revolutionized the reproduction of sculptures in a reduced size. This process involved making a precise scaled-down replica of a sculpture using a pantograph, which allowed for accurate reduction while maintaining the proportions and details of the original work.

The seal of Achille Collas on the sculpture indicates that it is a reduced-size replica produced using the Collas process. This process made it possible to create multiple copies of a sculpture, ensuring wider accessibility and popularity of the artwork.

In summary, Henri Michel Chapu was a talented French sculptor known for his graceful and emotional sculptures. Ferdinand Barbedienne was a renowned metalworker and founder of the prestigious Barbedienne foundry, which produced high-quality bronze casts of Chapu’s sculptures. Achille Collas was an engineer and inventor who developed the reduction process, allowing for accurate and scaled-down replicas of sculptures. The collaboration between Chapu, Barbedienne, and Collas resulted in the creation of notable bronze sculptures that are highly regarded in the art world.