Lot Essay
François-Joseph, Baron Bosio (1768-1845) studied under Pajou in France and Canova in Rome. He was widely patronised, in particular by Bonaparte, the Bourbons and Louis Philippe. He rates as one of the most skilful and decorated sculptors of the late French Neo-Classical period.
Bosio's Henri IV Enfant was originally executed in marble, commissioned by the ministre de L'Interieur for the town of Pau. It was exhibited at the Salon of 1824, and with the King's permission Bosio had a limited edition of reductions cast in bronze. A silver version was also cast, it was listed in the Cabinet du Roi in 1824, and is now in the Louvre. The sculpture was received with great acclaim and bronze reductions were purchased by Maréchal Macdonald and by Prince Anatole Demidoff.
Bosio's Henri IV Enfant was originally executed in marble, commissioned by the ministre de L'Interieur for the town of Pau. It was exhibited at the Salon of 1824, and with the King's permission Bosio had a limited edition of reductions cast in bronze. A silver version was also cast, it was listed in the Cabinet du Roi in 1824, and is now in the Louvre. The sculpture was received with great acclaim and bronze reductions were purchased by Maréchal Macdonald and by Prince Anatole Demidoff.