Julien Dillens

Gift to the Clerk Mr L. Barbiaux by the Provincial Administration of Brabant, 1888;

With Galerie Maurice Tzwern, Brussels, 2005

Entitled Allegretto, this exuberantly modelled bronze represents a musical allegory in the form of a graceful young woman in a dynamic, triumphant pose. It is among the most celebrated models conceived by Julien Dillens, one of Belgium's best-known sculptors famous for his compelling realism. A version of Allegretto in ivory and bronze is illustrated in Engelen and Marx (op. cit., p. 597), while another bronze cast is housed in the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique. Unlike the present version, which is clad in wonderfully crisp and textured drapery, both of these examples show the figure as nude.

The present, superb bronze cast is distinguished by its original red marble and onyx column, which is adorned with two gilt bronze coats of arms. These indicate that the sculpture and column were commissioned in 1888 with the aim of being offered by the Provincial Administration of Brabant to its Clerk, Mr L. Barbiaux, in recognition of his long-standing service. The work is accompanied by a leather-covered folder addressed to the recipient of the sculpture. Dated 1888, it contains the expressions of thanks and signatures of the members of the Brabant Administration.

Julien Dillens enjoyed a successful career in Belgium as a sculptor and medal maker. Many of his works decorate the public buildings and monuments in Brussels. He was internationally acclaimed as well, winning the Prix de Rome in 1877 and exhibiting widely abroad.

RELATED LITERATURE

G. Matthijs, Julien Dillens. Sculpteur 1849-1904, 1954, pl. XXII; C. Engelen and M. Marx, Beeldhouwkunst in België vanaf 1830, Brussels, 2002, pp. 595-598