I have found myself very inspired by the creations of Josainne des Fontaines, who was a premiere female military model maker. Her creations are extremely rare, and I have found that she deserves more exposure and recognition for her skill and careful attention to detail in her figures and drawings.
Josianne des Fontaines, Bouloge-sur-Seine, worked by commission only in order to preserve her freedom of choice. Her precision to detail and accuracy were based on literature and personal history of the character, including national characteristics. Each model is unique and created from a number of parts. The nude metal core came first, and then she would build upon that layer by layer. Next came the costume, sheet by sheet and soldered separately.
I am the proud owner of some of Madame des Fontaines beautiful drawings, from the private collection of Peter J. Blum, N.Y. These are a great example of her preliminary illustrations, the step before the creation of her unique figures. Below are the descriptions to the original drawings.
Guerre d’ Amerique – Armee De Rochambeau – Colonel De Genie, watercolor on paper, H. 5 1/2″ x W. 4,” signed lower right, J. Des Fontaines.
Guerre d’ Amerique – Armee De Rochambeau – Savannah – 1781 – Officer Au Regiment D’Agenois, watercolor on paper, H. 5 1/2″ x W. 4,” signed lower right
Porte-drapeau – Tambour – Regiment d’ Argenois – 1779-1780 – Guerre d’Independance Americaine, watercolor on paper, H. 10″ x W. 6,” Signed right J. Des Fontaines
Illustration from Peter Blum’s book “Military Miniatures,” Joachin Murat, ca. 1810
French Chasseur a Cheval de la Gard, 1810, painted figure
