Jean GAUTHERIN (1840-1890), sculpteur. Lot n° 346

Child Portrait of a boy in Renaissance dress. Terracotta bust on a black marble pedestal. Signed and dated "J. GAUTHERIN / 1881" on the left rear flank. H. 49 cm (total). History Jean Gautherin was a famous 19th-century French sculptor. Born in Paris on February 28, 1840 (or 1841?), Gautherin began his career studying at the École des Beaux-Arts de Paris, where he was trained by such renowned artists as Alexandre Falguière and François Jouffroy. His talent and passion for sculpture quickly set him apart. Gautherin was particularly influenced by the aesthetics of the Italian Renaissance, as can be seen on our bust, and in particular by the works of Michelangelo. His mastery of human anatomy and attention to detail made him one of the most sought-after sculptors of his time. His reputation was confirmed by his participation in numerous international exhibitions, where he won several prestigious prizes, including the Gold Medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1889. Jean Gautherin is famous for his monumental sculptures, notably the "Resistance and Victory" statuary group on the façade of the Opéra Garnier in Paris. His work, imbued with classicism, helped define nineteenth-century art and earned him eternal recognition.