Bronze on a marble base.
Height: 40 cm. Length: 32 cm. Width: 32 cm.
General Coll Trophy
The «General Coll Trophy» by José Crespo is an impressive sculptural work honoring Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME). Crafted in bronze, the sculpture depicts three UME members in action, emphasizing teamwork and the bravery of these soldiers during emergency situations.
The central figure in the sculpture portrays a soldier holding a hose, ready to combat a fire, while the other two soldiers are positioned behind, providing support and coordinating efforts. The expressions and postures of the figures capture determination and commitment during critical moments, reflecting the core mission of the UME.
The details of the uniforms and protective equipment are meticulously sculpted, showcasing José Crespo’s technical skill. The texture of the bronze lends a robust realism to the piece, highlighting the folds of the clothing and the rigidity of the helmets. The patina applied to the bronze adds tonal variation, bringing the sculpture to life with shadows and reflections that enhance its intricate details.
At the base of the sculpture, the emblem of the Military Emergency Unit is engraved, adding authenticity and context to the piece. This inclusion symbolizes recognition and tribute to the unit and its members.
«Created on commission in Madrid in September 2009.
Given that this piece was larger than the ones I had worked on previously, I returned to using plastiline, which delivers excellent results. In this case, the challenge was to reflect the spirit of a military unit through a bronze figure—a task that carried a certain level of complexity.
After much deliberation over the design, my goal was to convey several aspects simultaneously: on one hand, to showcase one of the unit’s main missions while also reflecting the inherent risks of such operations. Additionally, I aimed to express the strength required to undertake these tasks through the postures of the individual figures. On the other hand, I sought to represent values such as teamwork and camaraderie, essential for successfully completing such missions. To achieve this, I depicted three distinct figures working in unison.
Well… the result is what you see here.»
José Crespo