“He discreetly fought against the disease for seven years. His death affects us all deeply,” his wife Maryline confided by telephone from their very original home located in Sonchamp. Georges Saulterre passed away on Thursday November 28. He never mentioned his illness when L’Écho Républicain devoted a page to him last year (our edition of November 26, 2023) when he was very rare in the media.
Defining meeting in his childhood
Born in Conegliano (Italy), near Venice, the French sculptor was renowned for his monumental works throughout the world. As a child, the artist aspired to a manual profession. He is won over by a neighbor who is a stone sculptor. He learned about the mastery of tools and materials at the École nationale supérieure des arts appliqués in Paris, while becoming interested in architecture. Then Georges Saulterre shaped works in crystal, iron, glass, plaster, terracotta, ceramic, gold leaf, resin, porcelain, brass, ebony, quartz, stainless steel, copper… He exhibited his first creations in Parisian galleries and even paintings.
The artist creates, for an industrialist, the “Océane” line of tableware, including stainless steel cutlery. “I have a designer streak,” he explained. He expanded his portfolio by creating vases for a Belgian crystal maker. His destiny changes during meetings with architects. They encouraged him to create monumental sculptures.
Precursor of highway art
The man, who makes everything in his workshop located on his Yvelin property, sets up his enormous works in Hauts-de-Seine, in Hérault, in Versailles…
In 1978, his notoriety took on a new dimension. He became the precursor of highway art. Thousands of people pass every day in front of an 8.5 meter high gray heron located on the side of the A10, in Dambron, in Eure-et-Loir. In homage to Chartres Cathedral, the specialist in excess installed, in 1989, on the same axis, another 21-meter structure: “The spiers of the cathedral”. This work enters the Guinness Book of Records in the register of the highest creation made by a single man.
Another sculpture sits on the A13, near Rouen (Seine-Maritime), “On the trail of the Vikings”, but also “At the dawn of time” in the Alpes-Maritimes, or even “Le signal des Alpes” in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
He had two plans
Audacious, Georges Saulterre installs other XXL creations on new sites, power stations, a golf course, an Italian memorial, a Bordeaux vineyard… He creates many less bulky objects on themes precious to him, the animal and woman.
In 2001, he finished 2nd out of 5,000 applications in the World Trade Center memorial competition. His project was accepted by the victims’ association. His career took him to countries in Africa, South America and Asia. The Chinese government called on his talent for 8 years to create works and decorate parks, avenues… The artist opened his own gallery in Shanghai in 2008. In 2009, he released a book on his works Saulterre entre les fils woven by the sun.
He had other plans: “I would like to propose to the mayor to create a structure at the entrance to Chartres. I am also looking for a place to combine culture and animals. With Patrick Violas (manager of the La Tanière zoo-refuge, Editor’s note), we would like it to be at the Château d’Émancé (Yvelines), near Épernon. Patrons are interested in our project. »
According to his wife, this project has not been abandoned and a location is still being sought. Maryline also wonders about the future of many of her husband’s works.
