JUSTIN CHRYSOSTOME SANSON (FRENCH, 1833-1910) ANTIQUE BRONZE SCULPTURE
"Youth Dancing (Le Danseur Romain)", signed on base "J. Sanson" w/ foundry signature of "Boyer Fres Bronziers Paris"
Item # 130101UUP12

This is an outstanding original antique bronze Le Danseur de Saltarelle by artist and atelier Justin Chrysostome Sanson. Born in Nemours, France on August 8th 1833, he was an active artist in bronze and marble, achieving greatest recognition with the introduction of Le Danseur de Saltarelle in 1861, obtaining the first grand prize of Rome. This original work was cast by the Thiebaut foundry at a remarkable 168 cm (66"), later being reduced in 1869 to 55 cm (21.5") and 72 cm (28.5") and titled Le Danseur Romain.

Pictured on the right is an painting by Henri-Charles Daudin portraying Sanson in his studio in 1893, where Le Danseur can be seen on the left in it's original and uncloaked plaster molded cast. Le Danseur was exhibited at the Salon of 1866 and placed in Jardin de Diane in Fontainebleu. He was active until his death in Paris, November 2nd, 1910, producing such great works as Coquetterie as late as 1910.

Several titles are ascribed to the work, including "Youth Dancing", pictured in Berman's work with an animal skin wrapped around his waist, a more popular and common cast found available on the market from time to time. Sanson's original vision for the cast features the dancing figure unrestrained with neither cloak or leafage, this adjusted when cast commercially to be more marketable for display in homes of the period. Works cast with leaf covering are rare and difficult to acquire on the market, this being the first available in many years.

A particularly difficult piece to cast, this antique bronze work is an absolute masterpiece. Standing at approximately 28.5", it features flawless construction with the arm joints perfectly sliding into the body of the cast and the feet screwed into the naturalistic molded base. The tambourine, grasped in one hand, is a particularly complicated part of the cast - each bronze jingle in the instrument is individually cast and attached loosely in the piece, these being as nearly realistic as possible to a functional tambourine. The instrument joins the hand with a tiny hand forged screw from inside the tambourine.

The base is signed "J. Sanson" and also impressed by the foundry "Boyer Fres (Freres) Bronziers, Paris". A simply outstanding and highly desirable find for any serious collector of classical French bronzes of the late 19th Century, with a deep dark brown and black-green patina well preserved throughout. It is an exceptional investment grade selection.

Further Reading and Notes:

• Bronzes: Sculptors and Founders 1800-1930, Vol III, Berman, f. 2367 - 28" high and cast by Ledentu Fréres, Paris c. 1865
• E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol 12, Gründ, p. 286-87
• Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century, Dictionary of Sculptors, Kjellberg, p. 610-11 - notes on Le Danseur

Measurements: 28 1/2" high, base diameter 9 3/4"

Condition Report:
Original dark green and black patina exhibiting expected wear and abrasions to extremities: nose, buttocks, elbows, etc. All wear is detailed in the close up slideshow images. Light wear along edges of base. Exceptional condition. Please review all images in the slideshow for a full overview of condition.