RAOUL-FRAÇOIS LARCHE
French, 1860-1912

"The Mirror" (1892)

Patinated bronze | signed to base "R. LARCHE" | sealed verso with Siot-Decauville cachet and cold-stamped 8096

stock ref. 411JWI09S 

19" H x 14 1/2" W x 12 1/2" D; base diameter 12 1/2"; height of bronze only is 18"

Essay
A joyful expression of youth and the discovery of nature, this powerful and rather scarce group by Raoul-François Larche captures a pair of satyrs playing together in the woods. Here they have stumbled across a quiet pool where they observe themselves reflected in the waters perhaps for the first time. Carved into the stone they tumble and climb across is an ancient face of a man with waters feeding the pool through his open mouth. The sculpture was first exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1892 (no. 2774) and Larche exhibited it again at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 (no. 370). Thereafter he contracted with Siot-Decauville for the model to be cast and retailed by their galleries.

It is a wonderful reminiscence on childhood, friendship, the awe-filled wonder we can feel in the presence of nature and finding the greatest joy in even the smallest of discoveries. A very fine acquisition.

Condition:
Marble base is a finely made modern fabrication to compliment the original pintle affixed to the underside of the bronze which allows the sculpture to rotate freely. Very minor wear to the original patina. An exquisite presentation.

Biography
Raoul-François Larche (1860–1912) became broadly known and regarded for his dynamic and ornamental sculpture, objects and studies that blended naturalistic detail with a modern decorative sensibility. Born in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, France, Larche studied at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris under notable instructors such as François Jouffroy and Eugène Delaplanche.

He received recognition early in his career when he won the highly prestigious Pix de Rome in 1886. This provided him the opportunity to study in Italy and, like many sculptors before him, this experience would become a cornerstone to his long career. While in Rome, he was exposed to intensive study of every major movement of sculpture and decorative art, practicing the techiniques that he later adapted to the emerging Art Nouveau style.

Among Larche’s most significant accomplishments is his series of lamps and small sculptures that epitomize Art Nouveau's synthesis of art and functionality. His iconic work, Lamp of Loïe Fuller, portrays the famed American dancer Loïe Fuller enveloped in flowing drapery, which doubles as a lampshade. This piece exemplifies Larche’s ability to integrate movement and light in a sculptural form and remains one of his most celebrated creations.

In addition to his decorative pieces, Larche also produced monumental works, including public sculptures and architectural ornamentation. Notable commissions include allegorical reliefs for civic buildings and religious institutions, as well as portrait busts of prominent figures of his time.

Larche’s works were widely exhibited during his lifetime, including at the Salon des Artistes Français, where he won several medals. His sculptures earned critical acclaim for their combination of technical precision, aesthetic innovation, and accessibility. He partnered with the renowned Parisian foundry Siot-Decauville for the editing and production of many of his serial casts.

Larche died in 1912 at the age of 52, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be celebrated for its contributions to Art Nouveau and its exploration of the interplay between art and everyday life. His pieces are preserved in collections such as the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, which holds several of his iconic lamps and decorative sculptures.

References:

• Dictionnaire des Sculpteurs de L'École Française, vol. III, Lami, 1970, p. 251-254