'Pro Patria', large patinated bronze sculpture by Gaudez

The sculpture depicts a full-length, semi-nude male figure with an animal skin draped across his lower body. The young man has a furrowed brow and he gazes determinedly into the distance. He is depicted in the act of drawing his sword from its sheath on the left side of his body. A female figure stands behind the man, raised up on a mound of earth. She wears a classical style dress with a lion’s mask on her bodice. The woman rests her weight on one leg and kicks the other out behind her. She points to the right distance with one hand, and holds a flag inscribed ‘Pro Patria’ in her other. The woman looks down at the man with her mouth slightly ajar, as though she is urging him forwards into battle. This figure is an allegory of the French Republic. The title of the piece, ‘Pro Patria’, derives from a line by the Roman poet, Horace: ‘dulce et docorum est pro patria mori’ (‘it is sweet and proper to die for one’s country’).

The sculpture is set on a circular base, which is signed ‘A. Gaudez’. The base also features a central cartouche on its front, which is inscribed ‘Pro Patria / Par A. Gaudez / Hors Concours'.