David d'Angers. Dessins des Musées d'Angers

The sculptor David d'Angers (Angers, 1788 - Paris, 1856), a major figure of French Romanticism, left a great many drawings which afford insight into the evolution of his art and his connections with the literary and artistic circles of his day. His early drawings reflect his classical, academic education. In 1811, he was awarded the Grand Prix de Sculpture-but his fascination with modern history soon came to predominate, and his republican convictions inspired work he intended as educational, in commemoration of great men: the heroes of the revolutionary wars that marked his childhood, and those who served under Bonaparte. The drawings of David d'Angers reflect the intensity of the preparatory work he did to create a bas-relief that could convey a life story or a statue that could capture the drama of a heroic deed or death. His portraiture was deeply influenced by phrenology. This sculptor of a remarkable head of Goethe was also a collector of drawings, some of which are featured in this exhibition; his collection included watercolors by Caspar David Friedrich, again reflecting his interest in German art.