CIRCA 1870-90

“The articulated human figure made of wax or wood has been a common tool in artistic practice since the 16th century.” (J. Munro, Silent Partners: Artist and Mannequin from Function to Fetish, November, 2014) In the 19th century, this was no less true, and manufacturer’s innovated the centuries old form. The best ateliers were located in Paris, producing the most life-like and elaborate examples.The present lot represents a rare ‘equestrian set’, highly sought after even in the 19th century. Munro notes that period advertisements marketed the ‘Maquette Française’ for over 100 French Francs, close to $400 today. These maquettes were primarily retailed by art supply stores and artist’s studios, and made of fruitwoods or walnut. They served as invaluable tools to artists who could study and manipulate the form to compose naturalistic racing scenes and equestrian portraits.
Another example was sold The Robert & Angelique Noortman Collection: Paintings and Works of Art from the Château de Groote Mot, Sotheby's, Amsterdam, December 2007, lot 22 (€90,250) and at Sotheby's, New York, 7 May 2015, lot 77 ($27,500).