Charles Adrien Prosper d'Epinay

Overall the condition of the marble is very good. There is some dirt to the surface and some minor wear consistent with age. There are a few naturally occuring veins. There may have been some restoration to the fingers of the right hand. There are some chips to the column including some restored chips and a large chip tothe bottom of the stem section.
"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."

This lyrical marble is representative of the works produced by Prosper d'Épinay during his mature period. It is analogous with the sculptor's celebrated La Ceinture dorée (1874), which was commissioned to embody the ideal of the modern female. Both figures exhibit the same sensual treatment of the flesh and have similar stances. However, the present piece can be linked most strongly to Épinay's La danse au tambourin (1884), in which two girls dance together, one holding a tambourine, the other a thyrsus and a castanet. The figure with the tambourine compares closely with the present dancer, particularly in terms of pose, with both figures tilting their necks to one side, whilst twisting their bodies and holding tambourines above their heads. Like La danse au tambourin, the present marble conveys an interest in the antique, through evoking Bacchic ritual. A remarkable sense of movement is created by the twisting pose of the figure, aided by the flowing, swirling drapery.

RELATED LITERATURE
P. Roux Foujols, Prosper d'Épinay (1836-1914). Un mauricien à la cour des princes, Ile Maurice, 1996, pp. 36-44