Atypical for Pompon, who is known primarily for his animal sculptures, the figure of "Cosette" is based on a character from Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. The unique marble was first conceived in plaster in 1887. Despite numerous requests by the artist to obtain a marble for carving the statue, Pompon was not able to obtain a suitable block until 1898. The carving was first exhibited in the Salon of 1898. Pompon attempted to have the work enter the state collections and, despite sponsorship by Rodin and Antonin Mercié, the piece was rejected three times. It was ultimately bought in 1901 by a private collector.