This wonderful bronze medal known as La Source ("the Well") is by Daniel Dupuis originally c.1898. The obverse depicts a nude women leaning over an ornate fountain and drinking water from cupped hands, the water coming from a gargoyle to the front and above her. There is a tree, foliage and robes in the background. It is signed Daniel Dubois in the bottom right hand corner and the initials DD in the top left hand corner.
The reverse depicts a winged cherub on top of a rock with foliage in the foreground.
The rim is stamped "Bronze" with the Cornucopia mark for the Paris Mint.
Approximate dimensions:
Weight: 0lb 1 7/8ozs - 56gms
Length: 2.56ins - 6.5cms
Width: 1.38ins - 3.5cms
Jean-Baptiste Daniel Dupuis 1849 - 1899
Born Blois France. At the age of sixteen he was accepted into the School of Fine Arts. Three years later, in 1868, he won second place in the Prix de Rome for medals. At the same time he accepted a teaching position in drawing at the Municipal School of Paris.
In 1871 he turned to sculpting & in 1872 he won the grand prize for medals in the Prix de Rome. He then traveled to Rome to continue his study of engraving medals. When he returned to Paris in 1876 he set up his own studio where he worked as an engraver of portraits, sculptures, and as a painter but his primary focus was engraving medals.
In 1877 he was commissioned to design a medal for the Prix de 'Ecole Albert Le Grand and thus began his reputation as one of the leading medalists of 19th century France. He continued to receive commissions for portraits of famous persons, various prizes, expositions, as well as clubs such as the Automobile Society and the Alpine Club.
In 1881 Daniel Dupuis was appointed an officer of the Legion of Honour.
In 1898 he redesigned the minor French coinage.
In 1899 he was killed by his wife who shot him before shooting herself.
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