Alfred Boucher (French, 1850-1934): A late 19th century bronze figural group of a girl with an urn a
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Alfred Boucher (French, 1850-1934): A late 19th century bronze figural group of a girl with an urn and a pair of doves
the girl wearing a simple flowing dress, her hands clasped and her head turned slightly to dexter with eyes downcast to the pair of doves seated on an urn at her feet, a water fountain behind with lion mask aperture, on rectangular canted base signed 'A. BOUCHER', dark brown patination, 53cm high
Sold for £1,320 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • Bouchers story is a rags to riches tale, born in Bouy-sur-Ovin to a modest family; his farm-hand father secured a job in the gardens of the sculptor Marius Ramus. Fortunately Ramus recognised the young Boucher's talent, and decided to open his studio to him. Here he completed his first figural works and was introduced to the sculptor Paul Dubois; and this introduction led to a bursary to study in Paris and to further travel to Italy. It was in Italy that Boucher discovered the classical style that was to influence his work so strongly.

    Boucher later offered other younger artists similar opportunities and became an inspiration to the next generation of sculptors, teaching Camille Claudel and Laure Coutan. Before moving to Florence Boucher asked his good friend Rodin to take over his teaching responsibilities and thus the great love affair between Rodin and Claudel began. Ever the philanthropist, Boucher founded the studio La Ruche in Montparnasse in 1902 to help young artists.

    He was renowned for his delicate and alluring nudes of the late 19th Century, and was famed for his ability to 'célébrer avec amour le corps féminin' (Lucien Morel-Payen, La Tribune de l'Aube, 1933).
    He eventually moved to Florence and became favourite sculptor of presidents and royals such as George I of Greece and Maria-Pia of Romania. He won the Grand Prix du Salon in 1881 with 'La Piété Filiale' and received the Grand Prix de sculpture de l'Exposition Universelle in 1900. He died in Aix-les-Bains at the age of 84.

Category: Decorative Arts / European Sculpture and Works of Art

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