Auguste BARTHOLDI (Colmar, 1834 - Paris, 1904) Lion of Belfort Bronze with shaded brown patina Signed 'A Bartholdi' and stamped 'Fumière Paris' on the terrace Titled and dated '1870-1871' on the base 22 x 31 x 12 cm In 1871, after withstanding a siege by the Prussian army for over a hundred days, Colonel Denfert-Rochereau's garrison of over 15,000 men evacuated the town of Belfort, which had remained French thanks to these heroes. In 1872, to commemorate this glorious episode, the State and the municipality called on the services of Auguste Bartholdi, the famous Alsatian artist, to create what was to become the Lion of Belfort, a monumental sculpture over 22 metres long, carved directly into the rock. Numerous bronzes were subsequently produced, helping to spread the popularity of this model. Auguste BARTHOLDI (Colmar, 1834 - Paris, 1904) 22 x 31 x 12 cm