Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
The son of a farm worker, Alfred Boucher was born in 1850 in the French commune of Bouy-sur-Orvin and rose to prominence as a prolific, award-winning artist during the late 19th century, producing meticulously detailed sculptures for the likes of royalty and presidents.
When he was young, the Boucher family moved to Nogent-sur-Seine where his father secured gardening work for sculptor Joseph-Marius Ramus. Ramus, who worked in the neoclassical style, saw potential in Boucher. He invited him to work in his studio and helped him get a scholarship to Beaux-Arts de Paris when Boucher was 19 years old.
In Paris, Boucher studied under esteemed sculptors Augustin Dumont and Paul Dubois. He began to develop a unique style characterized by a sense of life, movement and symbolism. While Boucher is known as an academic sculptor, his work usually paid tribute to day laborers — an understandable endeavor given his father’s role as a farmhand.
As his profile grew, Boucher also secured commissions to create busts of prominent figures in the scientific community as well as politicians. The artist became friendly with Auguste Rodin — widely considered the father of modern sculpture — and mentored Laure Coutan and Camille Claudel. Later, in 1902, Boucher founded the low-cost studios La Ruche in Montparnasse to support young artists.
Boucher participated at his first salon in 1874, winning a bronze medal. He later lived in Italy and further honed his skills, and was awarded the Prix du Salon in 1881. He received the Grand Prix at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900.
Boucher was promoted to Grand Officer in the Légion d'Honneur in 1925 and passed away in 1934.
Find original Alfred Boucher sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.
19th Century French Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Bronze
1880s French Grand Tour Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Bronze
1820s French Louis Philippe Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
1870s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
Early 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
20th Century French Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
1890s French Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Bronze
1790s French Directoire Antique Alfred Boucher Decorative Objects
Bronze