Vidal, Louis

Louis Vidal first became blind during his childhood; studying other sculptors work through touch, and with help from Alfred Barye, he learnt how to work with bronze, marble and plaster. Many of his works are signed Vidal Aveugle or ‘Vidal the Blind’.

Patronised by figures including Princess Mathilde and the Rothschilds, Vidal’s bronze sculptures are highly prized. His talent was further recognised in 1888, when he became the Professor of Modelling at the Ecole Braille in Paris.

The University Art Collection holds one sculpture by Louis Vidal, entitled ‘Standing Lion’.