Godefroid Devreese first studied with his father, then continued his studies at the academies in Kortrijk and Bruxelles. He was one of Belgium’s most famous medal designers, and he was also known for his sculptures, monuments and fountains in France and Belgium. He became a close friend of the architect Victor Horta, with whom he collaborated on various projects. In 1885 he won the Prix de Rome, before turning to medal art in 1890. He benefited from the introduction of the reduction process. Pastorale - Ballet russes is available as a bronze relief sized 51 x 37.5 cm and as a plaque of 83 x 55 mm weighing 125 g. The work was designed in 1932 after Devreese had seen the Russian ballet of Serge Diaghilev with prima ballerina Anna Pavlova in Brussels. The plaque The Runner was probably generated in 1935. Two sizes are also available of the plaque Throw-In: 33 x 57.7 cm and 48 x 85 mm (silver coated). The Diver is a medal or plaque as well. In contrast, the work entitled Lutteur en garde (Wrestler on guard) is a 59.5 cm high bronze statue, which was displayed as early as 1893. In the art trade it also appears under the title A Boxer.
Belgium