Portrait of Émile Zola, bronze plaque by Alexandre Charpentier, dated “March 19, 1898” in the upper left corner and monogrammed on the left.
Alexandre Charpentier’s training in medal engraving at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris was always of paramount importance in understanding his work. As a worthy heir to David d’Angers and Auguste Préault, he immortalized the profiles of prominent figures at the turn of the 19th century, such as François Coppée, Constantin Meunier, the Goncourt brothers, and here, Émile Zola.
He was a staunch supporter of Dreyfus and was among those who called for a retrial of Captain Dreyfus. To this end, he created a medal in support of Émile Zola, then in exile, which was sold by subscription to readers of Le Siècle. This gesture of support was greatly appreciated by the writer.
The plaque we are offering differs from the medal in its more sketchy, freer style, which is reminiscent of the important series of Médaillons du Théâtre Libre.
This piece is all the more moving because Zola certainly posed for Alexandre Charpentier, as he wrote to Octave Maus in March 1898: " I am making a medal of Zola at the moment; I am working at his home."
The connection between Charpentier and Zola continued after the latter’s death, when Charpentier was chosen, along with Constantin Meunier, to design a monument in his honor in Paris, which was unfortunately destroyed during the Occup
Casts of this portrait of Zola are held at the Musée d'Orsay, the Musée de la Monnaie de Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the American Numismatic Society in New York.
It was also exhibited at the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts in 1869 and at the Venice Biennale in 1901.
Frame dimensions: 22x17.5cm
