Perhaps you have heard of Raoul Larche. He was a renowned French sculptor. The Monument à Raoul Larche stands as a testament to his life. It also celebrates his artistic contributions.
Raoul Larche was born in Saint-André-de-Cubzac. He was born in 1860. He died in Paris in 1912. Larche’s work embodies both neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau styles.
Larche’s father was a sculptor. His father also worked as an ornamentalist and cabinetmaker. Raoul studied at the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs. He also studied at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in Paris. His teachers included famous artists. These included Françoise Jouffroy and Alexandre Falguière.
Larche debuted at the Salon des artistes français in 1884. He exhibited regularly until 1911. In 1886 he won the second Grand Prix de Rome for sculpture. His career blossomed from there. He received medals at various expositions. This includes a gold medal at the 1900 Exposition Universelle. He also won a medal of honor in 1910.
One of Larche’s most famous works is the Loïe Fuller lamp. It was inspired by the American dancer. This lamp is considered a departure from academic art. It cemented his fame. Larche created many decorative art pieces. These were often cast in bronze and pewter. The Siot-Decauville foundry in Paris produced them. He also sculpted religious statues. One example is a Joan of Arc statue in Gagny.
Larche served on juries for prestigious art institutions. He became a member of the Société des artistes français in 1904. He was made an officer of the Legion of Honor.
Raoul Larche often stayed in Coubron. He had a house there. In 1912 Larche was struck by a car. He died from his injuries. He was buried in Coubron. His tomb features a reproduction of one of his statues.
The Monument à Raoul Larche in Coubron is adorned with his bronze group Les Faunes. This monument stands in the town hall garden. It commemorates the sculptor’s connection to the town. His wife donated several of his works to Coubron. These works include Les Faunes. She also donated paintings displayed in the town hall.
The Monument à Raoul Larche was classified as a historical monument in 1983. This classification included plaster and terracotta works by Larche. These pieces are housed in the town hall. They are also in the Paul-Bert school.
Larche’s influence extended beyond sculpture. He designed the fontaine monumentale. It is named Miroir d’eau, la Seine et ses affluents for the Grand Palais. It represents nine rivers. Larche died before finishing the fountain. Jean-Marie Mengue completed it.
The Musée des beaux-arts de Bordeaux held a retrospective of his work in 1920. Later a room dedicated to Larche was removed. This occurred during a period when Art Nouveau fell out of favor. The Raoul Larche room was closed in the early 1930s.
Today a square in Saint-André-de-Cubzac bears his name. Avenues in Coubron and Saint-Médard-en-Jalles also honor him.
The monument you see before you serves as a reminder of Raoul Larche’s talent. It also reminds us of his contribution to French sculpture. It is a fitting tribute to an artist who captured the beauty of nature. He also captured the human form in his timeless creations.