19th and 20th Century European Sculpture

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Lot 63
  • 63

Pierre Roche

Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Pierre Roche
  • Mars Vainqueur (Mars victorious)
  • signed and dated: PIERRE ROCHE 1897 and inscribed: Alexis.Rudier Fondeur Paris, with a white label on the underside printed with: P. NAVEZ \ EMBALLAGES DE TABLEAUX & OBJETS D'ART \ 76, Rue Blanche, 76 - PARIS and inscribed in black ink: Exposition de Buenos Aires \ No 8 \ M Roche Pierre \ "Mars Vainqueur" and numbered in pencil: 287, one pink label numbered: 803 and a blue and white stamp with: D.B 840
  • bronze, rich green and brown patina

Condition

Overall the condition of the bronze is very good. There is some minor wear consistent with age. The sword has been reattached and there have been minor restorations on a slightly loose joint on the left arm and an old scratch on the right forearm, all of which have been toned
"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."

Catalogue Note

'Charming, prolific, and something of a dreamer' was the characterisation of Pierre Roche when he was remembered in a retrospective exhibition at the Societé Nationale. Roche's talent was discovered by Dalou when he saw the young sculptor's design for the Danton monument. Dalou promptly invited him to join his workshop. There he developed the casting skills which he later put to use in his own designs. Later in his life Roche included ceramics, medal and printmaking in his repertoire, experimenting with unconventional techniques.

The present Mars Vainqueur is typical of Roche's oeuvre. It reveals the influence of Dalou in the treatment of the face and hair, but also has the Art Nouveau charm which became a hallmark of Roche's work. Roche depicts Mars not as the heroic brute of classical mythology but as a beautiful boy. The elegant lines of the bronze and the wonderful, deeply layered, green and brown patina, witness to Roche's mastery of composition and technique.

RELATED LITERATURE
P. Vitry, 'Pierre Roche (1855-1922)' in Gazette des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1923, pp. 215-228