Emmanuel Fremiet French, 1824-1910

The whips are slightly misshapen and are removeable. One of the spurs is also slightly bent. There is a small casting joint on one of the reins otherwise the condition is very good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Fremiet submitted the model of Chevaux de course et jockeys to the Salon of 1855 and exhibited it again at the Exposition Universelle four years later. It was so well received on each occasion that Fremiet sent it on show abroad - to Antwerp in 1885 and Copenhagen in 1888. Horswell considered the group to be 'one of the finest models of this subject to be found in animalier sculpture' and quotes the critic Jacques de Biez: 'M. Frémiet recently published with his editors, M.M. Boussod and Valadon, two studies of racing horses, which add the thoroughbred to the series of horses by this artist. A group of jockeys in the saddle and a portrait of the stallion, Barberousse, they are much more documentary than simply ornamental - the historiographer has left his mark of perception and observation'.

The bronze master-model is in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Dijon (inv.no.4188).

RELATED LITERATURE
Chevillot, S127, p.95; Lami, vol.2, p.413; de Biez, p.274; Horswell, p.185