Jean Georges Pierre Achard

Estimate

5,000 - 7,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Jean Georges Pierre Achard
bust of William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (c.1846 - 1917)
signed and dated: J. G. Achard 1911 and inscribed: Offert par la Poetique au ... [indistinct word] Juin 1911 and inscribed: H GONOT with a further indistinct inscription
bronze, dark brown patina

Condition

Overall the condition of the bronze is very good with some minor wear consistent with age.
"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

William Frederick Cody was born into a Quaker family in Peel County near Toronto. His father Isaac was a fervent anti-slavery campaigner and was a martyr to the cause after he was stabbed by a promoter of slavery in 1857. William became a scout for the United States Army and was awarded the Medal of Honor for "gallantry in action" in 1872. He earnt the soubriquet of "Buffalo Bill" for killing 4,280 American bison in 8 months to supply meat to the workers on the Kansas Pacific Railroad. In 1883 he founded his famous "Buffalo Bill's Wild West", a circus style show featuring real-life characters of the American West such as the Native American Sitting Bull and the sharp-shooter Annie Oakley. In 1887 the show came to England and played before Queen Victoria. In 1889 the show played at the Exposition Universelle. The French president attended, as did the Shah of Persia. The stars of the show became world famous and their features well-known through widely distributed postcards. The present portrait may have been based on one such image. According to Bénézit, Achard was particularly well known for his busts of personalities of the day.

RELATED LITERATURE
E. Bénézit, Dictionnaire des peintres sculpteurs dessinateurs et graveurs, Paris, 1999, vol. 1, p. 44