catalog text
A.E. DUBUCAND
French, fl. 1883-1890
A Horse and Jockey
Medium-brown and parcel gilt patinated sand-cast bronze | Signed in base "AE. DUBUCAND FILS"
Item # 202VHP20L
An exceedingly rare work by the son of the renowned Animalier sculptor Alfred Dubucand, A.E. Dubucand studied under his father and exhibited at Salon for just 7 years from 1883 through 1890. Very little is known about his life and work, as it is frequently confused with his fathers ouevre and incorrectly catalogued. The present work is a substantial model that showcases the advanced skill of the sculptor and presents with the same spirit as his father's work. Relaxed yet animated, photographically exacting and with a brilliant textured surface, the present model depicts a jockey seated on a stallion, his riding crop in hand as they walk across a naturalistic ground. It is finished in an even all-over medium-brown surface patina with extensive gilt highlights. The base is signed "AE. DUBUCAND FILS", the "FILS" mostly rubbed away and only visible under raking light. The underside of the sand-cast model is finished with a pine insert.
This exceedingly scarce model was offered at Sotheby's in 2007 with a flat brown patina where it achieved 4750 GBP (approx. $ 9500 USD at the time) and again at Beaussant Lefevre in February of 2019 where it achieved 10,922 euros (approx. $ 12,400 USD at the time), this with a slightly better surface than the Sotheby's model but still a more simple overall dark-brown patination.
Measurements: 16 1/2" H x 16 1/4" W x 5 3/4" D
Condition Report:
Reigns missing from the rider's hands. Light surface wear on the sides of the horse's neck where reigns would have rubbed at one point. "Fils" on signature rubbed away. Trace wear around edges of the base. A very fine presentation.