Collection Wolfers & Petrucci: Hidden Treasures

Marcel Wolfers
Chemin de Croix de Marcinelle, 1st Station of the Cross,
1925
Salt glazed stoneware
Dimensions: 78,5 × 61 cm
Signed: “Marcel Wolfers. / Fecit 1925”, to the right of the top edge of the relief
Signed: “Aline Duray”, to the left of the top edge of the relief
Provenance:
Marcel Wolfers and Clairette Petrucci collection
Exhibited:
Brussels (Ixelles), Art Deco Belgique 1920–1940, Musée
d’Ixelles, 06/10–18/12/1988, cat. No. 222, p. 23 and
p. 251. (both with photo)
When Marcel Wolfers received the commission for the Stations of the Cross for
the roman church of Marcinelle (near Charleroi), he was asked to work with
the local stoneware pottery industry. After making his designs, he turned to the
pottery of Roger Guérin to execute two proof stations (1 and 2) according to his
specifications. It is possible that the signature “Aline Duray”, which figures next
to the signature of Marcel Wolfers, was of the person responsible for the glazing
and firing of these two pieces. However we were unable to find any record of such
person working for Guérin, nor do we know what her relation was to Marcel
Wolfers. Her name does not figure on the finished stations (executed by Guérin),
nor on the bronze proof stations that were executed. It is very unusual that this
station is signed twice.
Although we now think the result looks magnificent, Marcel Wolfers was not
at all happy with the result, because the artist felt unable to control the outcome
of the colours of the glazes. In the end, Marcel Wolfers found the solution by
applying coloured lacquer onto bisque fired stoneware panels by Guérin. The
definite version of the stations, now visible in the church of Marcinelle, were
executed according to this process.
Of the two proof stations made in glazed stoneware, Marcel Wolfers kept the
first station for himself. The second station was sold or given to the Brussels artist
Jef Bourgeois. It is however unsure if this last station has survived. Bourgeois’
house and collection were partially destroyed in 1944 by a flying bomb.
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