catalog text
PIERRE LENORDEZ
French, 1815-1892
Portrait of Stallion Racehorse "Bois Roussel"
Patinated bronze | towel in base engraved "Bois Roussel, par the Nabab et Agar par Sting, Vainqueur en 1864 du Derby à Chantilly, de la poule des produits et du Prix de l'Empereur" | foundry marked "V. Boyer" | signed in cast "P. Lenordez"
Item # 307UPK16M
An exquisite example of the stallion racehorse "Bois Roussel" from the 1864 Derby, the present casting features a fine overall texture within a lightly matte surface that only becomes evident as the viewer moves closer to examine the sculpture. Even the smallest surfaces elements are beautifully articulated with Lenordez's typical almost modernist handling of the skin with a frenetic scraping and scoring of the surface to evoke the chaos of fur throughout the thoroughbred's body. A very fine representation.
PIERRE LENORDEZ
Pierre Lenordez, originally from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue in the Manche district of Northwestern France, later settled in Caen. Here, he spent a decade as a professor at the Fine Arts Academy of Caen, mentoring notable Romantic sculptor Arthur Jacques Leduc among others. Lenordez gained fame as an Animalier, particularly for his expertise in sculpting horses, a subject on which he authored a book in 1886 titled "The Horse." While he did create some figurative statues, like the 1887 piece "Esclave et Sultane Fuyant du Sérail" and models of various animals, his renown primarily stems from his equestrian sculptures. His first appearance at the Paris Salon was in 1855, and he continued to participate until 1877, frequently showcasing sculptures of notable racehorses and sires, often with detailed descriptions on a blanket or towel at the sculpture's base.
The casting of Lenordez's work was primarily handled by the foundries Duplan et Salles and Boyer, with some pieces cast by the smaller yet highly skilled Graux-Marly foundry.
Measurements: 15 1/8" W (13" W at base) x 12" H x 4 3/8" D
Condition Report:
Reigns were attached to the body at one point with trace remnants just above the saddle where these would have affixed with associated discoloration and texture to the surface in those two contact points; very minor patina wear; carefully cleaned and a brilliant presentation. Ready to place.