Alfred Boucher

There is dirt and wear to the surface of the marble consistent with age. The surface of the flesh and wings is smooth in texture, possibly indicating that the marble has been outside for a period of time and has subsequently been cleaned and restored. There are several areas of restoration, mostly restored inclusions, veins and small chips. These include: an area of the proper left side of the forehead; to the proper right cheek; to the thighs; to the back on the proper left side by the wing; to the proper right upper arm and breast; to the proper left hand and foot; to the top of the head; to the back of the neck; to the proper right leg. A section of the proper right middle finger is restored. There are two slightly visible restored breaks to the tip of the proper right wing. There is minor restoration to the tops of the wings. The base has been left deliberately roughly hewn - there appear to be no losses or conspicuous chips. There is minor veining to the marble consistent with the material. There are small naturally occurring inclusions to the marble particularly at the chest. There are minor dirt marks, including to the nose, proper left foot and legs. Otherwise the condition is good. The marble is very well carved.
"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."

Boucher created some of the most delicate and alluring nudes of the late 19^th Century. They range from the Rodinesque Volubilis showing a dreaming girl emerging from a roughly hewn surround, to the refined ethereality of the present model. L'Hirondelle Blessée was exhibited at the Salon of 1898 to great acclaim. This sensitive model has been said to evoke Carrier-Belleuse' Hébé endormie and to embody the grace and elegance of Boucher's earlier sculpture, Volubilis. The model is particularly famous today as it was reworked by Damien Hirst for his 2008 marble Anatomy of an Angel, sold in these rooms on 15/09/08 for £1,071,650.

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Piette, Alfred Boucher 1850-1934 "sculpteur – humaniste", exh. cat. Musée Paul Dubois – Alfred Boucher, Nogent-sur-Seine, 2000, p. 52, no. 46; J. Piette, Alfred Boucher 1850-1934: L'oeuvre sculpté, catalogue raisonné, Paris, 2014, pp. 200-207, no. A4