Lot 62: w - GEORGES MALISSARD FRENCH, 1877-1942

JOUEUR DE POLO (THE POLO PLAYER), POSSIBLY A PORTRAIT OF ALBERT I, KING OF THE BELGIANS

measurements note
59.5 by 45cm., 23½ by 17¾in.

signed: Geo. Malissard with the C. VALSUANI CIRE PERDUE stamp

bronze, dark brown patina, on veined green marble base

NOTE

From his debut at the Salon in 1908, Malissard was best known as a sculptor of horses. His most accomplished models represent thoroughbreds shown in action, such as Le Tandem or Mounted Groom exercising a stallion, sold as lot 1347, Sotheby's Gleneagles, 26 August 1997. Mallisard also executed a number of public monuments, mostly based on equestrian format, but his exhibition-scale bronzes make only rare appearances on the market.

The physiognomy of the sitter in this equestrian portrait has a striking resemblance to Albert I, King of the Belgians. Malissard is recorded as having made a model of Albert I, a version of which appeared as lot 548 in De Vuyst auctioneer, 13 May 2006, which depicts the king in military uniform. The present fine Valsuani foundry cast may be a variant model.