Jules DESBOIS - Naiad in the wave - Sculpture

Jules Desbois : (1851-1935) was a sculptor, engraver and french medalmaker. After studying in Tour and then Angers, he went to Paris in 1874 to study at the Beaux-arts. He stayed there 5 years to improve his technique, in the studio of Jules Cavelier, an ex student of David d’Angers. In 1878, he met Auguste Rodin and became friends with him. He then woked in the master's studio in 1884, where they mutually influenced and inspired each other. His collaboration with Rodin played a key role in his artistic evolution. Rodin made him get free from the academism he was taught, and invited him to create with a more personal expression. He became successful, received a lot of public and private commissions, and was present in the Salons. His sculpture "Misery"gave hime definitive recofnition in 1894 at the Société Nationale des beaux-arts. In 1930, he quit sculpting because of health problems and died 5 years later. He was considered at his time as « one of the best sculptors of his century », but then fell into oblivion. His collaboration with Rodin probably overshadowed his work, and History preferred to remember only the name of the master. It is not before 1979 that his work was re-discovered, and considered and worthened properly.