Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

Roger Godchaux
Elephant running with coiled trunk

circa 1930

About the Item

Elephant running with coiled trunk Roger GODCHAUX (1878-1958) Rare sculpture in bronze with a nuanced dark brown patina cast by SUSSE France circa 1930 height 14,2 cm length 24 cm depth 10 cm Biography : Roger Godchaux (1878-1958) was a French painter, drawer and animal sculptor. If all domestic and wild bestiary was part of his artistic universe, wild beasts and elephants having been his favorite subjects. As a figurative sculptor, he represented the animal without artifice, in his attitudes of everyday life. From Vendôme Godchaux joined Paris, where 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 was a pupil of the Julian Academy. As a great admirer of Antoine-Louis Barye, he created a collection of works produced in the master's studio. In 1905, he began to exhibit in Paris. He regularly participated in the Salon of the French Artists. After the war, he resumed exhibitions at the Salon des artistes français where, in 1922, he won the bronze medal. The French state ordered him two bronze plates for the Library of the Army Museum. 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 French State bought him a bronze sculpture: "Elephant", exhibited at the National Salon of animal artists, of which he became the treasurer. It was at this time that the Newark Museum in the United States bought him sculptures. It was also in 1928 that he won the silver medal at the Salon des artistes français. In 1929, the State bought him once again a sculpture (Pigeon). During the inter-war years, Godchaux regularly exhibited in various galleries: Galerie Charpentier, Galerie Georges Petit, Galerie Edgar Brandt, group of animal artists of the Malesherbes Art Gallery. He had friendly relations with other sculptors, including Henri Valette and Gaston Switzerland, with whom he regularly worked at the Jardin des Plantes. In 1937, he signed a contract with the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres for the edition of terracotta works. During the Second World War, as a Jew he stayed in Paris and continued to work in his studio on Boileau Street, but was forced to wear the yellow star. 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 was also asked to build the pediment of the Cap-Ferret Lighthouse. Unlike other animal sculptors like Edouard-Marcel Sandoz, François Pompon and Armand Petersen whose works are smooth, the work of Roger Godchaux is close to the art of Paul Jouve which leaves apparent textures, treating surfaces by smoothing and oblique streaks. It was often with plaster works that he exhibited in Salons and galleries. The works for sale were then cast in bronze. They were entrusted to famous founders like Susse, with whom he signed editing contracts, or Valsuani. He also worked with lesser known founders like Gatti, Andro or Planquette. Some of his works were terracotta or sandstone. Models have been edited by Susse in both bronze and terracotta, which could be left raw or glazed. Unlike his sculptures, which were mainly wild animals, his paintings were often inspired by the farm animals he could observe in the countryside. He also painted commissioned portraits or portraits of his family and friends.
  • Creator:
    Roger Godchaux (1878 - 1958)
  • Creation Year:
    circa 1930
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5.6 in (14.2 cm)Width: 9.45 in (24 cm)Depth: 3.94 in (10 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    PARIS, FR
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: N.76551stDibs: LU2514215987722

More From This Seller

View All
Portrait of Albert Dubarry
Located in PARIS, FR
Portrait of Albert Dubarry by Léon-Ernest DRIVIER (1878-1951) Bronze with a nuanced greenish dark brown patina signed "Drivier" cast by "Montagutelli, Paris, cire perdue" (with the ...
Category

1930s French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Joan of Arc on horseback
By Emmanuel Fremiet
Located in PARIS, FR
Equestrian Joan of Arc by Emmanuel FREMIET (1824-1910) A very fine bronze equestrian group with an "old gold" patina signed "E. Fremiet" on the base cast by "F. Barbedienne Fondeur...
Category

1880s French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of monkey candelabras
By Christophe Fratin
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of monkey candelabras by Christophe FRATIN (1801-1864) Bronze with nuanced dark brown patina signed "Fratin" on the foot old period cas...
Category

Mid-19th Century French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

The Song
By Félix Charpentier
Located in PARIS, FR
The Song by Félix CHARPENTIER (1858-1924) Bronze sculpture with a very nuanced dark brown patina Signed on the base " Félix Charpentier " Cast by "E. Colin & Cie Paris" (foundry ma...
Category

Early 20th Century French School Nude Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Equestrian Joan of Arc
By Emmanuel Fremiet
Located in PARIS, FR
Equestrian Joan of Arc by Emmanuel FREMIET (1824-1910) A very fine bronze equestrian group with a delicate and nuanced brown patina signed "E. Fremiet" on the base cast by "F. Barb...
Category

1880s French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Grande Baroquial (Acropolis)
By Arman
Located in PARIS, FR
Grande Baroquial (Acropolis) by Armand FERNANDEZ known as ARMAN (1928-2005) Accumulation of cuts of miniature cellos, welded bronze, patinated gold, signed "Arman" numbered "71/100"...
Category

1980s French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

You May Also Like

Antique French Polish Gilt Bronze Statue Sculpture Figure Sword Bladesmith 1890
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique French gilt bronze sculpture of a swordsmith, by the French- Polish artist & sculptor Henryk II Kossowski (1855-1921), the bronze dating to 1890. The bronze depicts a ...
Category

1890s French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Alabaster, Bronze

A 19th century French animalier bronze of a greyhound
By Joseph Francois Victor Chemin
Located in Bath, Somerset
A late 19th century bronze figure of a greyhound, his front leg raised and head turned backwards as he grooms his coat. A finely detailed figure with a dark brown patina, mounted on ...
Category

Late 19th Century French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

The Hunt Large Bronze Sculpture Ferdinand Barbedienne Fondeur Napoleon III
By Louis Ernest Barrias
Located in Pistoia, IT
Louis-Ernest Barrias (1841-1905) "The Hunt. Impressive bronze sculpture with brown patina, 98 cm tall. Signature "E. Barrias" on the rock; "F. Barbedienne fondeur Paris" and mechanic...
Category

Late 19th Century French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Egyptian Revival Bronze Bust Sculpture Statue "Queen of Babylon"
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique cast bronze sculpture an Egyptian Revival bust "The Queen of Babylon", by the 19th century French sculptor Paul Auguste Gagne, circa 1875. This rare & unusual bronze b...
Category

1870s French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

"Allegory of Autumn" Large Bronze French Napoleon III Group
Located in Pistoia, IT
"Allegory of Autumn," large bronze medal patina group signed Bulio for Jean Bulio, seal of the Société des Bronzes de Paris foundry. Measurements H cm 58 Base 20 x 15 cm L max cm...
Category

1890s French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique French 19th Bronze Equestrian Group Horses Jockeys Statue Sculpture 1895
Located in Portland, OR
A fine late 19th century antique French bronze sculpture group, of a pair of race horses & jockeys, by Paul Louis Emile Loiseau-Rousseau, Paris (1861-1927). The bronze circa 1895 de...
Category

1890s French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Recently Viewed

View All