Paul LANDOWSKI (1875–1961) - Lot 15

Paul LANDOWSKI (1875–1961) The Flight, or Human Aspiration, or Monument to Wilbur Wright—1918 Bronze sculpture with a green patina. Signed and dated on the base, numbered 3. Foundry mark The front of the pedestal bears the inscription “TO COMMODORE L.D. BEAUMONT” “HIS GRATEFUL FRIENDS IN FRANCE” “22” On the left side: “I.P. LANDOWSKI 1918” The back bears the foundry’s stamp. H: 73 cm Note: This monumental work measures 2.65 m. Created in 1918, it was intended to be exhibited in Le Mans as a tribute to aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright. Since funding proved impossible, an American patron, Louis Dudley Beaumont (1857–1942)—then President of the American Aero Club of France—decided to cover the entire cost of the project. The bronze sculpture presented here was personally commissioned from Paul Landowski by the members of the Aero Club of France as a gift for Mr. de Beaumont on April 26, 1922, his birthday. In 1927, Louis de Beaumont purchased one of the most beautiful estates on the French Riviera, the Villa Eilenroc. For many years, this bronze sculpture remained in the villa’s grounds.