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The alabaster and gilt bronze bust of Joan of Arc by Gustave Van Vaerenbergh is a precise and delicate representation of the historical figure. The sculpture captures the nobility and determination of Joan of Arc with a downward-focused gaze. The fine details of the suggested armor enhance her aura of courage. The textures and expressions of the face are finely sculpted in alabaster, while the gilt bronze adds warmth and brilliance. This bust embodies the heroic spirit of Joan of Arc with sensitivity, blending alabaster and gilt bronze in an artistic mix.
Gustave Van Vaerenbergh, a Belgian artist, studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent from 1888 to 1890. Coming from a modest background as the son of a shoemaker, he expressed his art in commercial enterprises. Settling in Schaerbeek in 1902, he became a sculptor at A. Carli Frères, specializing in commercial statues. Van Vaerenbergh is known for his busts of young women, statues of children, animals, and his chryselephantine sculptures in ivory, representing the Art Nouveau style.
The A. Carli Frères company, founded in the early 1900s in Schaerbeek, Belgium, by Antonio Carli, produced and published statuettes and sculptures in plaster, terracotta, marble, and bronze. Initially employing around 20 people and up to about 100 employees at its peak, it specialized particularly in religious and decorative sculptures. The works were reproduced in series with indicated serial numbers, reflecting prolific commercial activity. The varied sculptures, including those made by renowned artists like Gustave Van Vaerenbergh, often presented subtle variations in their reproduction, demonstrating the important commercial aspect of the company.
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