BOUCHER, Alfred

French sculptor, the friend of Auguste Rodin and mentor to Camille Claudel. He was the son of a farmhand who became the gardener of the sculptor Joseph-Marius Ramus (1805-1888), who, after recognizing Boucher’s talent, opened his studio to him.

He won the Grand Prix du Salon in 1881 with “La Piété Filiale.” He then moved to Florence for a long period and was a favourite sculptor of presidents and royals such as George I of Greece and Maria-Pia of Romania.

He provided inspiration and encouragement to the next generation of sculptors such as Laure Coutan (1855-1915) and Camille Claudel. The latter was depicted in “Camille Claudel lisant” by Boucher and later she herself sculpted a bust of her mentor. Before moving to Florence and after having taught Claudel and others for over three years, Boucher asked Auguste Rodin to take over the instruction of his pupils. This is how Rodin and Claudel met and their tumultuous and passionate relationship started.

Boucher founded the studio La Ruche in Montparnasse in 1902 to help young artists. He received the Grand Prix de sculpture de l’Exposition Universelle in 1900.

The Finishing Line

This bronze depicts three athletes in the last fraught moment of a race, each balanced on one leg as they stretch a hand forwards in the desperate frenzy to be the first over the finishing line.

Boucher exhibited the plaster model for the first time at the Salon of 1886. After its instant success the State commissioned a monumental bronze version of the group to be placed in the Jardins du Luxembourg. This cast was exhibited at the Salon in 1887 and subsequently erected in the gardens. It remained there until its sad destruction during the Occupation.

The present bronze is a reduction of the life-size model. Editions in three sizes were cast by the Siot-Decauville foundry.

The Finishing Line

The Haymaker