Gérard-Jean Galle (1788-1846), the eldest son of the eminent bronzier Claude Galle (1759–1815), upheld and advanced his family’s distinguished legacy in the art of bronze casting during the early 19th century. Born in Paris in 1788, he received his formative training in his father’s renowned workshop on Rue Vivienne, immersing himself in the meticulous techniques and aesthetic principles that defined the Galle atelier.
Following his apprenticeship, Gérard-Jean, alongside his younger brother Jean-Auguste, served in Napoleon’s army, where he demonstrated notable military prowess, culminating in a knighthood in 1815. Recognising the importance of sustaining the family’s artistic enterprise, Claude Galle petitioned the Emperor in 1810 for his sons’ release from military duties to rejoin the workshop. Upon Claude’s death in 1815, Gérard-Jean assumed leadership of the atelier, swiftly affirming his capability to maintain and enhance its esteemed reputation.
Under Gérard-Jean’s direction, the workshop continued to flourish, attracting commissions from an elite clientele, including the Duke of Richelieu, the Marquis de Martel, and the Viscount de la Rochefoucauld. His creations, characterised by their refined elegance and technical excellence, encompassed a range of decorative art forms, notably clocks and candelabra. In 1819, his exceptional craftsmanship was recognised with a silver medal at the Exposition des Produits de l’Industrie for a collection predominantly featuring light fittings and clock cases, many of which were supplied to esteemed Parisian clockmakers such as Bourdier.
Among Gérard-Jean’s most celebrated works is an innovative chandelier, crafted circa 1818–1819, now housed in the J. Paul Getty Museum. This piece, resembling a hot-air balloon, integrates classical motifs with contemporary design elements, including a glass bowl intended to hold water and live goldfish, exemplifying the era’s fascination with blending functionality and artistic imagination.
Despite his artistic successes, Gérard-Jean’s career was later challenged by the political and economic upheavals following the July Revolution of 1830, leading to a decline in patronage and eventual bankruptcy. He passed away in 1846, leaving behind a legacy of artistic innovation and excellence. Today, his works are preserved in prestigious institutions, including the Château de Malmaison and the Musée Marmottan in Paris, as well as the Royal Palace in Stockholm, attesting to his enduring contribution to the decorative arts.
Explore our collection of Empire mantel clocks , Empire candelabra and candlesticks and other decorative art objects by Gérard-Jean Galle and his contemporaries in our gallery.