The Drummer of Arcole (Le Petit Tambour d'Arcole)
Bronze sculpture; full-length monumental figure • Attributed to Jean-Guillaume-Moitte (original designer) or more likely a later casting based on the nineteenth-century model by Charles-Guillaume-Sébastien Ameil
Style & Movement
Academic Realism with Neo-Classical influence; Heroic Romanticism
Medium & Technique
Cast bronze using the lost-wax (cire perdue) process, featuring a dark green verdigris chemical patina
Creation Period
Late 19th Century (likely between 1880 and 1900; identifying the iconic Napoleonic character Andre Estienne)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 220 cm (over life-size); vertical/monumental format standing on a circular plinth
Subject Description
The sculpture depicts Andre Estienne, a 19-year-old drummer in Napoleon's army during the Battle of Arcole (1796). He is shown in a triumphal, heroic pose, crossing a river while holding his rifle high in one hand and his drum in the other, symbolizing courage and the rallying of troops.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the structural integrity is excellent with an evenly developed patina indicating consistent indoor or sheltered display.
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $300,000 (Estimate for a public monument-grade historical casting)
Auction Estimate
$100,000 - $200,000 (Based on historical bronze sales of state-sponsored 19th-century works)
Provenance History
Permanently located at the Musée de l'Armée/Les Invalides, Paris. The background features a plaque for the 'Union des Français Combattants et Mobilisés de Russie,' placing it within the historical context of French military history and state collections.
Art Historical Significance
A major symbol of Napoleonic iconography and French national identity. The 'Drummer of Arcole' represents the youthful zeal of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars and is a recurring subject in 19th-century French civic sculpture.
Notable Features
Located in the arcades of the Hôtel des Invalides; the figure is notable for the dynamic 'V' shaped composition and the detailed rendering of the 18th-century military gaiters and uniform.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust and potential oxidation in deep recesses of the drapery/drum. Slight wear on the base from pedestrian proximity.
Conservation Recommendations
Periodic dusting with a soft brush and application of microcrystalline wax for protection of the patina. Maintenance of the existing barrier (red/white rope) to prevent public touching and consequent oil transfer.