Rembrandt Bugatti

patinated bronze
Signed R. Bugatti, numbered (2) and with foundry mark Cire Perdue A.A. Hébrard on the base

Former collection of the Olympic Committee

Hamburg, Museum Für Kunst und Gewerbe, Die Bugattis, Automobile, Möbel, Bronzen, Plakate, June 8 - August 28, 1983
Vence, Château Notre-Dame des fleurs, Galerie Beaubourg, Bugatti, July - September 1995
Amsterdam, Beurs von Berlage, Bugatti : auto's, meubels en beelden van de familie Bugatti, December 19, 1998 - March 7, 1999
Paris, Galerie Univers du Bronze, Collection Alain Lesieutre, 2001
Berlin, Nationalgalerie, Rembrandt Bugatti, Der Bildhauer, 1884-1916, March 28 - July 27, 2014

Philippe Dejean, Carlo-Rembrandt-Ettore-Jean Bugatti, Paris, 1981, p. 220
Die Bugattis, Automobile, Möbel, Bronzen, Plakate, exhibition catalogue, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, June 8 - August 28, 1983, mentionned p. 145, n. R 3 and illustrated p. 152
Jacques-Chalom des Cordes and Véronique Fromanger Des Cordes, Rembrandt Bugatti, Paris, 1987, p. 158
Bugatti, les meubles, Bugatti, les sculptures, Bugatti, les autos, exhibition catalogue, Galerie Beaubourg, Château Notre-Dame des fleurs, Vence, July - September 1995, illustrated p. 173
Bugatti : auto's, meubels en beelden van de familie Bugatti, exhibition catalogue, Beurs von Berlage, Amsterdam, December 19, 1998 - March 7, 1999, illustrated p. 71
Rembrandt Bugatti, Der Bildhauer, 1884-1916, exhibition catalogue, Nationalgalerie, Berlin, March 28 - July 27, 2014, illustrated p. 164
Véronique Fromanger, Une trajectoire foudroyante, Rembrandt Bugatti, sculpteur, répertoire monographique, Paris, 2016, pp. 310-311, n. 156

Very good overall condition. Light handling wear to the patina throughout the piece and more significant handling wear on a few areas and especially on the upper part and the top of the head, all consistent with age and gentle use. Dust in the crevices. A few dirt stains scattered.
"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 Athlète debout was created by Rembrandt Bugatti circa 1906 for the inaugural Contest of Olympic Arts. Only three casts seem to have been made, one for the Olympic Committee, one for Doctor René Bruyère, who introduced the sculptor to Pierre de Coubertin, president of the Olympic Committee, and the last one for the Galerie Hébrard.
Two casts are known today : our lot, acquired by the Olympic Committe, numbered (2), and the one given to René Bruyère, numbered (1). Surprisingly for Bugatti's work, there is a small difference between these two casts. Doctor Bruyère's athlete bears a thin moustache that isn't on our piece. It seems that Hébrard, whose great relationship with Rembrandt brought him to fully understand the work of the sculptor, intervened very rarely during the casting to create minute variations. Only the cire perdue technique, mastered by Hébrard, could allow this game of differences.

We would like to thank Mrs Véronique Fromanger for her assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.

Three bronze casts of this model are known to exist.
This lot is sold with a certificate from Mrs Véronique Fromanger.