Lifesize French Bronze Horse and Jockey Statue by Bonheur
Gorgeous lifesize bronze horse and jockey statue originally by French artist Isidore Bonheur.
The horse and jockey is perhaps one of the most popular subjects in bronze art and right here we have one of the best examples we have ever seen. This is a later recasting of the famous ‘Winner of the Derby’ bronze by the artist Isidore Bonheur (1827-1901). The bronze is a fine brown cast for the horse and a darker brown for the jockey and base. This piece is over six feet tall. It’s massive and would make for a great garden sculpture and can live outside with no fear of rusting. Great for a stable or something. The patina to it is fantastic and the piece is offered in perfect condition. This is a later recasting from the original.
The jockey is depicted lovingly stroking the mare who it looks like is just about to break into a cantor.
This would appeal to horse collectors and lovers of all things equestrian everywhere. It would make for a beautiful decorative item for your home. We will ship to anywhere in the world so get your bids in early.
Isidore Jules Bonheur (1827 – 1901) was born on May 15th 1827 in Bordeaux, France. He was an important Animalier Sculptor, the brother of Rosa Bonheur and brother-in-law to Hippolyte Peyrol the founder. The Bonheur’s were a well known family of painters, sculptors, and artists. Isidore studied painting under the tutelage of his father at a very early age. He moved on to sculpture in 1848 with his first Salon entry of a plaster study of An African Horseman attacked by a Lion. Isidore Bonheur continued exhibiting his sculpture throughout the years, both at the Salon in Paris as well as The Royal Academy in London, and winning the Gold Medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889. Almost all of his and his sisters’ casts were produced by Hippolyte Peyrol whose extremely small (less than 1/16″) foundry mark is often very difficult to locate.
Isidore Bonheur’s bronzes range from domestic cattle and sheep, which he excelled at, to wild bears and lions as well as equestrian and hunting groups, all done in a very natural and realistic manner. Many of his bronzes were done as compliments to his sister’ works. These sheep and cattle models by brother and sister were done as pairs. Though somewhat overshadowed by his flamboyant and outspoken elder sister Rosa, Isidore Bonheur was nevertheless was a highly accomplished sculptor and his works rank among the finest of the French Animalier school. The Perigueux Museum exhibits a life-size version of his eight point stag. Among the monuments that he cast were, his sister’s memorial statue at Fontainbleau completed in the last two years of his life, and two stone lions for the Palais de Justice. Isidore Bonheur’s Royal commissions extended beyond France where he was commissioned to produce two monumental Bulls for the Palace of the Sultan in Constantinople as well as works for King Edward VII of England. His bronze sculptures are always signed I. Bonheur and the earliest Peyrol casts from the late 1840’s are unmarked.
Being bronze this will last forever without rusting and hence is a great investment as it will always appreciate in value. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing and nice to look at they can also become heirlooms.
Bronze is any of several alloys consisting mainly of copper and tin. Neither ancient nor modern bronzes consist only of these two metals. Zinc, lead, and silver were added to bronze alloys by Greek and Roman founders for use in tools, weapons, coins, and objects of art. Zinc, lead, and other metals are occasionally present in modern bronze. – Offered in great shape ready for home use right away
– We ship to every corner of the planet – please get in touch for a shipping quote
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