Aimé-Jules Daloux is a brilliant French sculptor who throughout his life remained faithful to the ideas of social justice and equality

Aimé-Jules Dalou (December 31, 1838 April 15, 1902) the famous French sculptor of the XIX century, an ardent supporter of realism in the world of fine arts. Aimé-Jules Daloux became famous for the creation of monumental bronze monuments, most of which are located in Paris. The work of the great sculptor was highly appreciated by his contemporaries; his works were repeatedly awarded with prestigious awards at exhibitions. The biography of the master is a vivid example of a successful career as an artist who achieved recognition through hard work and in spite of life circumstances.

Aimé-Jules Daloux never concealed his sympathy for the working class. The heroes of his works were often simple French workers, and the master himself was an ardent supporter of the ideas of republican socialism all his life.

Biography

Aimé-Jules Daloux was born on December 31, 1838 in Paris, the son of a small artisan who makes a living making gloves. His parents were staunch Protestants and opponents of the monarchy, they raised their son from childhood in the spirit of rejection of social injustice and instilled in him a love of work.

The boy showed early drawing and modeling skills, which Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux accidentally noticed. The famous sculptor brought the young genius to the School of Decorative Arts in 1852 and helped him get a place in the class of Horace Lecoq de Boisbaudran. For two years Aimé-Jules studied the basics of drawing under the guidance of Boisbaudran, after which he entered the National Academy of Fine Arts.

Since 1861, Dalu took part in academic exhibitions annually, but was never able to receive the Rome Prize due to his open adherence to socialist views. Around the same time, he became friends with Auguste Rodin, with whom he maintained warm friendly relations until the end of his life.

Nevertheless, the young sculptor quickly gained fame in the Parisian artistic environment, and his work aroused great interest among the public. In addition, commissioned by the French government, the master made a number of decorative sculptures to decorate Parisian buildings, which contributed to the growth of his popularity.

In 1869, Jules married Irma Villiers, who became his reliable assistant in business for the rest of his life.

In this marriage, the artist’s only daughter, Georgette, was born, but, unfortunately, the girl was born mentally retarded. Nevertheless, Dalu took care of his child all his life and gave a significant part of his income to the maintenance of an orphanage for disabled children.

In 1871, Aimé-Jules Daloux enthusiastically greeted the proclamation of the Paris Commune and took an active part in the activities of the revolutionary government. But soon government troops suppressed the rebellion, and the sculptor and his family were forced to flee to England, fearing for their lives. At home, he was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment and he was able to return to France only eight years later after the announcement of amnesty to all participants in the uprising.

Upon arrival in London, Jules was greatly assisted by his former classmate at the academy, Alphonse Legros. It was he who introduced Dala to his influential friends and contributed to the appointment of a friend to the position of teacher at the School of Arts. Thanks to the patronage of Legros, the exile’s life quickly improved, he acquired wealthy customers. The British government even invited the sculptor to take part in the World Exhibition under the flag of the United Kingdom, but he categorically refused such an honor.

In 1879, an amnesty was announced to the participants in the Paris Commune, and he immediately went to Paris.

By that time, Dalu was already a world famous artist and was enthusiastically received in France by numerous fans. Now he could fully enjoy the quiet life in his hometown and enthusiastically took up the execution of new large-scale orders.

For merits in art, the sculptor was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor of three degrees, and at the World Exhibition of 1899 he received the main prize for the monument “Triumph of the Republic”. In addition, the artist became one of the founders of the National Society of Fine Arts and the first head of the sculpture department in this creative association.

After returning to his homeland, the master created many wonderful works and for 20 years was engaged in the development of a grandiose project called “Monument to Workers”, which includes dozens of individual sculptures combined into a common composition. But he did not have time to realize his brilliant plan. On April 15, 1902, Aimé-Jules Daloux died suddenly in his home from a heart attack at the age of 63. He was buried in the famous Parisian cemetery of Montparnasse, where the remains of many prominent figures of French art are buried.

The most famous works of Aimé-Jules Daloux

The ingenious sculptor has presented to mankind many skillful masterpieces worthy of admiration. And yet, the most famous works of Aimé-Jules Daloux are:

1. “A Young Mother from Boulogne Feeding Her Child” (1878) is the most expensive masterpiece of the art sold at auction. In May 2014, an unknown buyer paid 362,500 for the work at Sotheby’s.
2. The Triumph of the Republic (1889) is an allegorical sculptural composition created to commemorate the proclamation of the French Republic. Although this work won only second place in the competition established by the Paris authorities, the innovative project of Dalou was also recognized as a masterpiece deserving attention and it was decided to install the monument in Place de la Nation.
3. Monument to Eugene Delacroix (1890) a monument erected in the Luxembourg Gardens in honor of the great French painter. The bust of the author of the famous painting “Freedom Leading the People” is located on a granite pedestal, surrounded by three allegorical figures waging a fierce struggle among themselves.
4. The Triumph of Silenus (1898) is a bronze monument to the famous ancient Greek character the educator of Dionysus. The best work of Dalou, created in the mythological genre, is still an adornment of one of the squares of Paris.

Aimé-Jules Daloux was an ardent supporter of the ideas of social justice and never changed his views. But in the memory of grateful descendants, he will forever remain the author of beautiful sculptural masterpieces of art.