JEAN BAPTISTE LEBROC (FRENCH, 1825-1870), CLASSICAL ANTIQUE BRONZE SCULPTURE
"Putto Playing Bagpipers" c. 1850, signed on base "Lebroc"
Item # 130001KKG12

This is a simply outstanding original antique bronze sculpture by Jean Baptiste Lebroc (France, 1825-1870). An impressive casting of a putto figural sitting cross legged on a naturalistic stump base, intensely focused on the bagpipes he is playing. Of remarkable detail, this piece was clearly cast by an exceptional foundry, though as is typical of mid-19th Century works, the foundry did not impress the piece. Every detail is carefully chased and filed into perfection: from the round wrinkles of his stubby hands, his disheveled and somewhat wild hair strands, the hollowed pipes and the carefully mottled earthy base he rests upon, great care was shown to create a fine balance between the lifelike and the classical. The base is signed by his foot "Lebroc", the entire form resting over a two tier marble base over a bronze ring that screws into the base.

Bronze sculptures by Jean Baptiste Lebroc rarely find their way to market, most of his work being held in private collections. This is a simply outstanding original bronze sculpture of incredible charm and remarkable execution, a work even the most discerning collector of classical french bronze sculptures will cherish for a lifetime.

Jean Baptiste Lebroc attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris and exhibited at Salon from the years of 1844 through 1867. Much of his work is mythological and classical in nature, regularly featuring the putto. The face of the present example is found almost identically represented in two other sculptures of entirely different grouping - for example, f. 4068 of Berman's work illustrates a group by Lebroc of two boys fighting over a toy drum, the head of the uppermost child almost identical. Also in Forrest's volume, f. 2.286, the sagging jowls and heavy brow of the Lebroc bust of a young boy is highly reminiscent of the heavyset features of this sculpture.

Further Reading and Literature:

• Bronzes: Sculptors and Founders, vol. IV, Berman, p. 1039 - "Our Drum", France c. 1850
• Art Bronzes, Forrest, p. 123, p. 478 (brief biography)

Measurements: Total height including marble base 15"; bronze is 12 1/2" high x 5" wide x 6 1/2" deep; marble base is 6 1/2" in diameter

Condition Report:
Marble base is dirty with some cracks. Fine overall greenish-black patina with trace oxidization under a preserving layer of wax; light patina wear to the leg, spot on the arm, the outward sticking crop of hair and back of the base - overall the patina is in quite outstanding condition. Dusty in the far crevices. A very fine work. Please review all images in the slideshow for a full overview of condition.