163 - PUECH, Denys.

PUECH, Denys. [Sculpted bust of the historian Frédéric Masson]. Plaster work, on a stepped pedestal (base: 18 x 18 cm; H = 54 cm; W = 32 cm). Minor chip at the edge of the left eyebrow, but in very good condition. Description: Sculpted bust of the historian and member of the Académie des Sciences, Frédéric Masson (1847–1923), a leading scholar of imperial history. Created by Denys Pierre Puech (1854–1942), sculptor and medal engraver; Winner of the Grand Prix de Rome, he was also the youngest member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1925 and director of the Villa Medici from 1921 to 1933, where he created the bust of Benito Mussolini. Signed on the left shoulder: “To my illustrious colleague / Frédéric Masson / Den(y)s Puech / Paris 1920.” The Friends of Frédéric Masson Founded in 1995 on the initiative of Nadine Vogel, the association Les Amis de Frédéric Masson has made it its mission to preserve the memory of and promote the work of Frédéric Masson (1847–1923). A renowned historian and specialist on Napoleon I, Frédéric Masson was also a member of the Académie française, where he served as permanent secretary, and mayor of Asnières-sur-Oise from 1886 to 1908. The association helps keep his historical and intellectual legacy alive through research, the publication of documents, the promotion of his correspondence, and the organization of meetings and study days. For many years, it published a journal featuring works by historians and researchers focused on the Napoleonic era, 19th-century history, and Frédéric Masson’s circle. As its director, Nadine Vogel plays a key role in this effort to preserve and share this legacy. Passionate about Napoleonic history, she has herself contributed to the association’s research and publications, particularly regarding the correspondence between Frédéric Masson and Grand Duke Nikolai Mikhailovich of Russia. She has also participated in academic conferences and the publication of historical works. Her commitment was particularly evident in Asnières-sur-Oise, where she worked to ensure Frédéric Masson’s place in the town’s history was recognized. In 2010, during the dedication ceremony for the street named after the historian, the mayor publicly praised her dedication and perseverance. Through her community work and personal commitment, Nadine Vogel has helped keep alive the memory of a historian who left his mark on both Napoleonic history and the intellectual life of his time. The Friends of Frédéric Masson thus embody a commitment to remembrance, historical research, and the transmission of intellectual heritage.