Galya

In June 2024, the sculpture created by Galya representing Joseph Bologne de Saint-George, born in Guadeloupe in 1745, was inaugurated. An eminent figure of the 18th century, this man of many talents was a prodigious violinist, conductor and author of numerous scores, but also an outstanding fencer, which earned him the title of the Chevalier de Saint-George.

 

In his honor, Senator Thierry Meignen wanted a monumental work to enhance the new park located opposite the Chevalier-de-Saint-George school group in Blanc-Mesnil: a magnificent neoclassical style elementary school, which hosts classes with flexible music schedules.

 

To evoke the birthplace of the Knight of Saint-George and his origins, Galya created a bust anchored on a black stone, in reference to La Soufrière and the black sand beaches of the Basse-Terre region in Guadeloupe.

 

The artist also symbolized the various talents of the Knight of Saint-George in his sculpture:

• The great musician's talent is represented by the violin's imposing size and its gold color.

• The Knight of Saint George is gloriously placed in the position of the soul of the violin*, a sign of the violinist's remarkable virtuosity.

• The gestures, very expressive of musical language, represent the conductor in his highly renowned work.

• The gloved hand holding the foil represents the dexterity of this fine blade, with an impressive record as an exceptional fencer.

 

The soundpost of the violin is a small wooden cylinder, an essential pillar between the top and the back of the instrument, which plays a crucial role in the transmission of vibrations. Its presence is therefore indispensable to the violin's resonance, and only an expert luthier knows how to fit it with the precision and accuracy upon which the instrument's sound depends.