Benoît Rougelet

Overall the condition of the marble is very good, with minor dirt to the surface consistent with age. Three fingers on the kneeling boy's left hand appear to be original, but are reattached. There is a minor chip to the nail on the index toe of his left foot and an inclusion on his left arm. There are numerous old small chips to the pink marble base.
"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."

Benoît Rougelet was born in Tournous, a picturesque town in the Saône valley in Eastern France. Trained by his father and François-Joseph Duret (1729-1816), he first exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1876, receiving honorable mentions in 1887 and 1889. He was principally a sculptor of portraits, his statue of the celebrated painter Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725-1805), another son of Tournus, stands in front of the town's hôtel de ville.

This charming group of playing children reflects the taste of the Belle Epoque in its amusing and carefree subject matter. The inscription 'Boudet Paris' for Maison Boudet indicates that this house was responsible for the retail of this marble. Boudet was one of the most prominent 19th-century Parisian retailers of sculpture, who operated at 43 Boulevard des Capucines from 1886 and at 8 Place Vendôme from 1908 until the outbreak of the First World War. It was not uncommon for retailers to inscribe their names on works they were selling; the lifesize marble La Frileuse by Carpeaux sold in these rooms on 17 May 2011, lot 45 (sold for £265,250), was also inscribed: 'Boudet Paris'.

RELATED LITERATURE
E. Bénézit, Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des peintures sculptures dessinateurs et graveurs de tous les temps et de tous les pays par un group d'écrivains spécialistes français et étrangers, Paris, 1999, vol. 12, pp. 20-21