Figurine collection
Jacques-Charles BAUDUIN
-Figures and soldiers of the Great War (1914-1918)
This collection of large-scale figurines, created by Jacques Charles Bauduin, a prominent member of La Sabretache, pays a meticulously researched and well-documented tribute to the men and women who shaped the history of the First World War. Far from generalities, each piece is inspired by a specific personality or type of emblematic soldier, offering a detailed historical overview where documentary accuracy serves the national memory.
The Government
And
The Civil Command:
The National Will
At the highest levels of government, the political leadership of wartime France was embodied by strong figures, guarantors of national cohesion and determination to achieve victory.
• Raymond Poincaré (1860-1934): President of the Republic from 1913 to 1920, he was the architect of the Sacred Union from August 1914, rallying all political forces around the war effort. His role was essential in maintaining institutional stability and the morale of the country in the face of the trials of the conflict.
• Georges Clemenceau (1841-1929): Nicknamed " Father Victory ," he took the helm of the Council in November 1917, at a critical moment in the conflict. His energy and unwavering determination breathed new life into the military command and the nation, leading France to the Armistice.
The Marshals of France:
The High Command
The First World War was the first major modern conflict where strategic decisions taken at the top of the military hierarchy shaped the destiny of France and Europe.
The dignity of Marshal of France , the highest distinction, was awarded to those who, through their vision, determination, and ability to lead millions of men, embodied victory – but history reminds us that these honors were often won at the cost of heavy losses and hard-fought strategic choices.
Joseph Joffre (1852-1931): The Architect of Victory, the Man of Plan XVII. Joffre is credited with the Battle of the Marne (September 1914), but he was also the architect of Plan XVII, a doctrine of all-out offensive that led to considerable losses at the beginning of the conflict. His authority, while necessary for discipline, was considered too rigid, leading to his replacement in 1916 after the failure of the 1915 offensives. Ferdinand Foch (1851-1929): The Theorist of the Offensive. Foch applied his doctrine of the "will to win" on the battlefield. Appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Allied armies in 1918, he orchestrated the final offensives. While his role was decisive for the Armistice, his commitment to the offensive at all costs was sometimes criticized for the heavy toll paid by the troops. Philippe Pétain (1856-1951): The Victor of Verdun and the Restoration of Morale. His management of the defense of Verdun in 1916 earned him the title of "Victor." After the failure at Nivelle, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief and focused on improving the living conditions of the soldiers, restoring morale after the mutinies of 1917. Hubert Lyautey (1854-1934): The Marshal of Morocco and Political Disagreement. A great colonial administrator. Lyautey briefly served as Minister of War. His actions helped mobilize the resources of the Empire, but he resigned in 1917, disagreeing with the government's political direction and management of the war, illustrating the tensions between the civilian authorities and the high command.
The Generals and Senior Officers: The Strategists of the Front
The French high command during the First World War rested on a cohort of French generals who led the army corps and major units on the Western Front. These corps commanders were the true executors of French military strategies from 1914 to 1918. Their careers illustrate the abrupt transition between the offensive doctrine inherited from the 19th century and the reality of trench warfare. Studying these figures, whether associated with offensive doctrine (like Mangin) or with key moments in defense (like Gallieni at the Marne), is essential for understanding the tactical and human challenges faced by the French army. Jacques Charles Bauduin's compositional figures recreate these military figures of the Great War with precision and uniform accuracy.
The Infantry:
The Poilus and
Trench Warfare
The French Infantry was the most heavily used and iconic branch of the armed forces during the First World War. Nicknamed "Poilus" (the Hairy Ones), these infantry soldiers fought in the trenches in their horizon-blue uniforms, a symbol of national resilience. Jacques Charles Bauduin's collectible figurines pay special tribute to these men, from all regions of France, who shared the endurance, solidarity, and brutality of the front. The faithful representation of the infantryman's equipment during the First World War and of life in the trenches evokes the daily experience of combat.
The Armistice Wagon Diorama:
A Historic Site in Compiègne
This diorama by Jacques Charles Bauduin is inspired by one of the key moments in the history of the Great War; the signing of the Armistice.
On November 11, 1918, this historic event took place in the lounge car No. 2419 D of the Compagnie des Wagons-Lits, parked in the clearing of Rethondes , near Compiègne.
The diorama depicting this iconic scene, immortalized by a black and white photograph, allows us to relive the moment when Marshal Foch, as Commander-in-Chief of the Allied armies, received the German delegation. A meticulous model-making work, linking the collection to the collective memory of the "War to End All Wars".
