Plaster Molds from Normandy American Cemetery statue The Spirit of the American Youth Rising from the Waves

The Curator’s Collection presents a 6 pieces plaster molds statue, testimony of the artist Donald De Lue creative process in the conception of the statue currently visible in the Memorial of the Normandy American Cemetery: The Spirit of the American Youth Rising from the Waves.

This plaster molds, part of ABMC’s Plaster Molds collection, is a great example of how art features, as well as architectural features, in Cemetery were built. The sculptors usually created the statue based on ABMC recommendations and used plasters molds to show their work to ABMC leadership. The molds were showed to ABMC directorates for finale approval. The plaster molds were also used as tools to adjust the size of the statue. This plaster mold is not the same size as the finale statue, which indicates that it was not used as a replica but mostly as a template. We might notice differences between the molds and the finale sculpture as it could have been modified by the artist until the fabrication.

Each cemetery features its own sculpture, presenting a different artistic expression of aspect of the war. For this statue, the artist Donald De Lue chose to highlight the sacrifice of young people. The spirit of the youth, sacrificed on the Normandy beaches is rising from the sea where it died.

To honor his beloved wife, artist Donald De Lue added a special detail to his sculpture that we can see on the plaster, he carved his wife’s name and his on the base of the sculpture.

In addition to the main sculpture, centered in the Normandy American Cemetery Memorial, there is also two beautiful pieces visible on the ground of the Cemetery. These two statues, distributed on each sides of the benches, represent both American and France through their allegoric representations of Columbia and Marianne. These two pieces feature the main characteristics of a classical representation of each nation, the American eagle for Columbia, and the French rooster for Marianne. Both statues have been created based on the same model, a woman standing tall holding down a sword and some olive branches to represents peace, but we can precisely identify them with the bird standing on their sword. Their calm and peaceful look is harmonious with the site atmosphere and commemorates, as well as all the elements in the Cemetery, the sacrifice of both countries.

Figure masculine

Full-round sculpture depicting a standing male figure resting on waves. The work consists of six elements: head, right arm, left arm, upper body, plaque (upper rear thighs), and lower body. Model for a bronze sculpture.

Statue de la France

A full-length figure in the round representing a woman holding a sword on her right side surmounted by a rooster and an olive branch in her left hand. A personification of France. Numerous graphite and felt-tip pen marks used for scaling up the figure.

Woman with eagle

A full-length figure in the round representing a woman holding a sword topped with an eagle in her right hand. In her left hand, she holds an olive branch. The figure is dressed in a cloak decorated with stars. Numerous graphite or green felt-tip marks (registration crosses) are visible. A large “3” is painted in black on the back.