Aimé-Jules Dalou

Overall the condition of the bronze is excellent with some minor wear to the patina consistent with age. There is an original casting sprew to the inside of her proper left thigh. There are a few very minor surface scratches including one to the left leg above the knee and a few to the stomach.
"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."

The M with which the present bronze is marked identifies it as the Hébrard foundry's chef-modèle. It is the first bronze version of this model cast by Hébrard and has served at the foundry as the qualitative standard for every cast that followed.

The Baigneuse s'essuyant le pied is part of a series of female nudes Dalou conceived during his stay in London in the 1870s. This study stands out due to its particularly judicious and economical modelling of the soft expression on the woman's face as she patiently dries her foot.

Marbles such as lot 88 on the facing page are further rarities in Dalou's edited oeuvre. They were carved by Dalou's long-standing associate and chef d'atelier Auguste Becker who protected the rights to do so after his master had died. Becker would later entrust the Susse Frères with the sale of the marbles made in the Dalou workshop. In January 1918 a small and a large marble version of La Verité Meconnue were exhibited by the Susse galleries.

RELATED LITERATURE
Sculptures by Jules Dalou, ex. cat. Mallett, London, 1964, pp. 12 and 15-6, nos. 17-8; Jules Dalou 1838-1902, ex.cat. Galerie Delestre, Paris, 1976, no. 9; P. Cadet, 'L'édition des œuvres de Dalou par la Maison Susse', La Gazette des Beaux-Arts, 126, 1994, pp. 101-2