Isidore-Jules Bonheur French, 1827-1901

Amongst Bonheur's wide variety of animal sculptures exhibited at the Salon, there were a number of mounted equestrian models, including three designs of jockeys submitted in 1864, 1879 and 1886.  The present jockey model is less often seen on the market than Le Grand Jockey of 1879 (see lot 72).  Unfortunately the Livrets de Salon list both the 1864 and 1886 entries simply as 'Un jockey' making it unclear as to which year the present model can be dated.

Here Bonheur captures an action pose with the horse in full trot, with both rider and mount conveying a purposeful air. It is a well balanced composition having an ample sized grass-covered naturalistic base. The cast itself is of a very high standard of finish, typical of the Paris foundry run by Bonheur's brother-in-law Hippolyte Peyrol.  It retains its original golden brown lacquer to the patina and excellent chasing of the details. Even the face of the jockey has a differentiated textured skin surface.

RELATED LITERATURE
Lami vol.1, pp.127-130; Livrets de Salon 1850-1870 and 1870-1880