Is it possible that the name of a street could echo the history of French artistry. Here on the Rue du Val d’Osne, we find ourselves connected to a legacy of ironwork. This street shares a name with the Val d’Osne foundry. It was a renowned French foundry. The foundry was established in 1835 by J. P. V. André in the town of Val d’Osne. André made a name for himself. He invented a cheap system for molding drainage and water pipes. He supplied them to the city of Paris in large quantities.
The Val d’Osne foundry became a frequent participant in international exhibitions. The foundry received critical acclaim for a large fountain displayed in London in 1851. Val d’Osne’s output was diverse. It was also prolific. Barbezat & Cie took over the company in 1867. Around 1870, they allied with the fondeur Ducel. The company was eventually renamed Société Anonyme des Hauts-Fourneaux & Fonderies du Val-D’Osne, Anciennes maison J. P. V. André et J. J. Ducel et Fils.
The Val d’Osne company became the largest art cast iron maker in France. It was known as “Val d’Osne art foundry”. After André’s death, his nephew André Hippolyte took charge. The workshops were located in Val d’Osne. The headquarters and gallery were at 58th Boulevard Voltaire in Paris. The company’s growth allowed it to buy its competitors: Barbezat and Ducel.
The foundry designed the four sets in gilded bronze for the Alexandre III bridge in 1900. It also designed the Art Nouveau decorations for the Parisian metro. Hector Guimard designed it.
The Val d’Osne foundries worked with important artists. These included Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse and Mathurin Moreau. Moreau was a shareholder in the company. The Val d’Osne became famous for its monumental fountains. It was also known for animal groups and statues. These were often based on antique or classical models. Some old Wallace fountains in Paris still bear the Val d’Osne signature. The foundry also built memorials after the First World War.
In 1931, the Sommevoire Factory purchased the foundry. Today, it is called GHM Company. It still produces street furniture. After World War II, cast iron ornaments became less fashionable. Statues and fountains suffered from a lack of maintenance. Beautiful cast iron sculptures were seen as industrial. They were seen as simple copies of academic art.
In 1986, the Orsay Museum was inaugurated. A thesis about Pierre-Louis Rouillard was published. This marked the beginning of art cast iron recognition. It entered museum collections. The forecourt of the Orsay Museum is adorned with animal statues.
So, as you walk along the Rue du Val d’Osne, remember the artistry. Remember the innovation of a French foundry. It shaped the streets of Paris and beyond.