Etienne Henry Dumaige

ETIENNE HENRY DUMAIGE (France, 1830-1888).
"Après le combat. Grenadier de 1792".
Sculpture in patinated bronze.
On green marble base.
Signed.
Measurements: 68 x 29 x 23 cm.

Bronze sculpture representing a grenadier of the Napoleonic guard. The guard carries the classic combat attire and rifle, taking a break to smoke a pipe. He wears a bicorn with a duster. The Grenadiers of the Old Guard were originally a group of elite soldiers of the French army under the direct command of Napoleon, but grew considerably over time. It acted as his bodyguard and tactical reserve. Other French soldiers came to refer to Napoleon's Imperial Guard as "the Immortals."

Born in Paris in 1830, Etienne Henry Dumaige studied sculpture under Féuchère and Dumont. He exhibited his sculptures of groups, statues and busts at the Salon from 1862 to 1877. He sculpted a large number of busts, groups and statuettes in marble, plaster and bronze, including statuettes of Desmoulins and Rabelais. He died in St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vié in 1888.