Alfred Boucher (1850-1934) - Lot 32

Alfred Boucher (1850-1934) Diana, 1891-1896 Glazed stoneware Published by Émile Muller & Cie, between 1896 and 1904 Signed lower right "BOUCHER". Signed lower right "E∙Muller". Numbered below "152". Numbered on the back of the rock, left "N7B". Stamped below "EMILE / MULLER / IVRY / PARIS". Stamped below "REPRODUCTION / FORBIDDEN". 34 x 32.5 x 13 cm The model of Diane surprise appeared in Boucher's work as early as 1891. The sculpture depicts Diana seated on a rock, surprised by Actaeon. It met with a certain success, and numerous versions were produced in plaster, marble, bronze and ceramic. The model was then reworked by the sculptor into a bust, of which there are several versions, including one in marble cited in Jacques Piette's catalog raisonné. Several glazed stoneware examples of Diana have been identified, all differentiated by the color of their glazes. Among these, one with white and pink enamel is in the collections of the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Troyes, purchased directly by the museum from Louis d'Émile Muller in 1903. A second example, kept in a private collection, has an almost entirely white enamel, with the exception of a few red streaks on the right-hand side of the rock. Related literature: Mercadier, Catherine, Rault, Michèle, (sous la dir. de), La Grande Tuilerie d'Ivry, le beau et l'utile, catalog d'ex- position, [Choisy-le-Roi, parc Maurice Thorez, June 12 - September 20, 2009], Ivry-sur-Seine, Périgraphic, 2009. Piette Jacques, Alfred Boucher 1850-1934. L'œuvre sculpté, catalog raisonné, Paris, Mare & Martin, 2014.