Aimé-Jules Dalou

Galerie Univers du Bronze, Paris;
private collection, Belgium

Overall the condition of the bronze is good with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are a few small casting lacunae. There is some orange oxidation to some of the crevices. There are some minor dark marks under the chin.
"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."

Dalou was one of the most important and prolific sculptors in France in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. He was fascinated by the subject of the female nude and worked and re-worked a series of models depicting nudes in guises typical of the genre, such as before and after the bath, towelling themselves, standing, bending down, or seated, taken by surprise or removing their stockings. These were more intimate sculptures than his studies of labourers and are number among Dalou’s finest works. He chose to keep them private and they were never exhibited publicly at the Salon; they would be seen only in his studio or at private exhibitions. Despite this, they did not escape notice and his works of female nudes were well known, celebrated and collected during his lifetime. The original terracotta sketch for the present model is housed in the Petit Palais, Paris (inv. no. 343).

RELATED LITERATURE
P. Fusco and H. Janson, The Romantics to Rodin, exh. cat. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, 1980, pp. 190-191, nos. 71-72; A. Simier and M. Kisiel, Jules Dalou, le sculpteur de la République. Catalogue des sculptures de Jules Dalou conservées au Petit Palais, exh. cat. Petit Palais, Paris, 2013, p. 384, no. 312