Figures hurlantes (Howling Figures)

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In 1893, Bourdelle’s home town of Montauban asked him to design a monument honoring the defenders of France during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. 'Figures hurlantes' is a study for the heads of the full-length figures on that sculpture, which was a radical departure from traditional war memorials. Instead of a general on horseback or wounded soldiers, Bourdelle portrayed personifications of rage, despair and brutality. He completed 'Figures hurlantes' in 1899, the same year that the older building occupied by our museum was completed.

Keywords

French
Franco-Prussian War
Head
Heroism
Bronze
Pain
Sculpture