ALFRED BOUCHER | L'Histoire devant un tronc d'arbre (Allegory of History before a tree)

Overall the condition of the bronze is very good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is some minor brownish discolouring to the gilt patina at the abdomen. There is some dark spotting to the patina at the bottom of the terrasse, and there are two spots of blackish residue to the terrasse above the woman's proper right foot.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Born in Aube, Boucher studied with Marius Ramus in his home town before moving to Paris to study under Paul Dubois. He won a medal for his 1874 debut Salon exhibit of L'Enfant à la fontaine. In 1900 he was awarded a Grand Prix at the Exposition Universelle and was later made an Officier Grand Croix of the Légion d'Honneur in 1925. Boucher was particularly intrigued by the effect of representing soft skin against rough rock and repeatedly explored variations on this theme, carving his models in three-quarter relief. Most well-known are versions of his models Volubilis and La Philosophie de l’histoire. The present bronze, which is a variation on a bronze figure on the monument of Auguste Burdeau at the Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris, is based on a plaster cast which was first executed just before 1902. 

RELATED LITERATURE
Alfred Boucher 1850-1934 "sculpteur-humaniste", exh. cat. Musée Paul Dubois - Alfred Boucher, Nogent-sur-Seine, 2000, p. 80, no. 78; J. Piette, Alfred Boucher 1850-1934: L'oeuvre sculpté, catalogue raisonné, Paris, 2014, pp. 246-247, no. A59B