Lot 187: f - Emile Gaudissard French, 1872-1956 , A grand prix racing car (an allegory of victory and progress)

signed: Em. Gaudissard. Paris - 1909. and inscribed H. GONOT. FONDEUR. PARIS . bronze, dark brown patina modulated with green

measurements note 71 by 78 by 39cm., 28 by 30¾ by 15½in.

This extraordinary depiction of an early Grand Prix racing car combines two distinct allegorical messages. The first and foremost is represented by the draped female nude, who points the way forward while offering the laurels of victory to the driver and his mechanic. The second is conveyed by a relief to the rear of the composition, depicting a horse drawn carriage. The contrast between the two modes of transport symbolises the advance of civilisation in an era of unprecedented technological progress.

The bronze dates to 1909, just two years after the inaugural Grand Prix held at Le Mans on 27th June 1906 was won by the Hungarian-born Ferenc Szisz, piloting a Renault AK 90CV. These new Grand Prix motor races superceded the Gordon Bennett Cup races (1900-1905) which had already become highly competitive and nationalistic affairs, with French manufacturers winning four times out of six. By 1906 there were 32 starters from 12 manufacturers and the cars themselves, while crude and primitive to modern eyes, were designed for endurance as much as speed. They demanded great care to pilot and mortal accidents were not uncommon, for simple leather seats exposed to the elements and leather caps and goggles were the norm.

Émile Gaudissard (or Gaudissart) was a multi-talented artist based in Paris who not only sculpted and painted but also designed art deco patterns for carpets and interiors for ocean-liners and modernist buildings such as the Théâtre de la Danse in Algiers (the town of his birth). His paintings are mostly of an Orientalist flavour depicting scenes of nomads, desert oases and kabyles. A bronze figure of a veiled Moroccan lady, for example, is in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris (inv.no.RF3854). Further works by Gaudissard can be found in the museum of Algiers.

The inscription on the present bronze confirms it was cast by the foundry of Gonot et Joret which operated between 1905 and 1911 as a direct successor to Henri Gonot, which was founded in 1900. The firm cast works for Rodin in 1906 and 1908.

RELATED LITERATURE
Lebon, pp.171-72; Musée d'Orsay, p.162, Kjellberg, p.348