Dreaming of Paris and its hidden gems? Allée Rude is one such treasure. But wait this Allée Rude is not in Paris. This Allée Rude is in Épinay-sur-Seine.
Allée Rude. It might sound familiar if you know your Parisian streets. Paris has a Rue Rude. The name comes from François Rude a celebrated French sculptor. He lived from 1784 to 1855.
François Rude’s most famous work is on the Arc de Triomphe. It is titled Departure of the Volunteers of 1792. Many know it as La Marseillaise. This masterpiece captures the energy of the French Revolution.
Rude’s father was a blacksmith. He taught young François how to work with iron. At fifteen François began studying at the School of Fine Arts in Dijon.
In 1808 Rude moved to Paris. He studied at the Imperial Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He learned from Pierre Cartellier. Cartellier was a follower of classical sculpture.
Rude won the Grand Prize of the academy in 1812. It was called Prix de Rome. Sadly he could not study in Rome due to financial problems.
After Napoleon’s defeat Rude went into exile in Brussels. He lived there from 1817 to 1826. In Brussels Rude received his first major commission. He designed sculptures for the hunting lodge of the Belgian crown prince.
Returning to Paris in 1827 Rude’s career took off. His statue Mercury fastening his sandals after slaying Argus showed his talent. It blended neoclassicism with realism.
Adolphe Thiers the Minister of the Interior recognized Rude’s talent. He commissioned Rude to work on the Arc de Triomphe. The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792 became his most famous work.
Rude’s wife Sophie Frémiet posed for the Génie de la Guerre figure. The sculpture shows the departure of French soldiers in 1792. They fought against anti-revolutionary forces.
King Louis-Philippe encouraged patriotic monuments. He commissioned Rude to create statues of historical figures. These included Cato the Elder and Maurice de Saxe.
François Rude died in Paris on November 3 1855. He was buried at Montparnasse Cemetery. His legacy lives on through his powerful and emotive sculptures.
So as you wander Allée Rude remember the sculptor. François Rude captured the spirit of a nation.