Grand guerrier

"Grand Guerrier" by Antoine Bourdelle is a bronze statue that depicts a male figure in full battle armor. Le Grand Guerrier is part of a larger project by Antoine Bourdelle, the creation for his home town of Montauban of a "Monument to the combatants and defenders of Tarn-et-Garonne in the war of 1870". It was in 1895, after a competition between various Montalban artists, that he received the order for this monument, which was his first public order. The monument, still in place, will finally be completed and installed in Montauban on September 14, 1902. The figure is depicted in a proud and commanding pose, with a determined expression and one hand resting on his hip. The statue is notable for its highly stylized forms and expressive lines, which reflect Bourdelle's distinctive approach to sculpting the human form. At the time of its creation, "Grand Guerrier" received positive reviews from the art community for its bold departure from classical forms and innovative style. The statue remains a significant work of Art Nouveau, showcasing Bourdelle's mastery of sculptural techniques and his ability to imbue his works with a strong sense of emotion and power.