Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824-1904) - Lot 59

Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824-1904) Jeu de boules player Model created in 1902 Gilded bronze Signed "J L. GEROME Bears the founder's stamp "SIOT DECAUVILLE FONDEUR PARIS" and the number "N480". H. 62 cm with green marble base and gilded bronze H. 9 cm Related literature : -Gérald M. Ackerman, Jean-Léon Gérôme, monographie et catalog raisonné, Paris, ACCR publishing, 1986, model listed under no. S.57, p. 326 Jean-Léon Gérôme presented the polychrome marble Joueuse de boules at the 1902 Salon. Under the pretext of a self-invented game, the artist indulges his taste for Greek Revival statuary. Here we find the attitude of the Satyr examining his tail, which he had admired in the Vatican Museum in Rome. The artist twice portrayed himself finishing his sculpture under the title Self-portrait Finishing the Jeu de Boules Player. Given the success of the work, the Siot-Decauville founder produced three-dimensional editions.