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.
Fine Pair of French White Marble and Gilt Bronze Figural Six-Light Candelabras
By Alfred Boucher
Located in New York, NY
A Fine Quality Pair of French White Marble with fine casting and Gilt Bronze Figural Six-Light Candelabras on Marble Bases signed 'A. BOUCHER'. Maker: Alfred Boucher (1850-1934) ...
Marble, Ormolu
Pair 18th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Figural Candelabra
Located in New York, US
Our monumental pair of 18th century candelabra of French origin depict Roman neoclassical male and female holding cornucopia, finely carved from white marble, with four light ormolu bronze candleholders of foliate design with fruits, nuts and grape bunches. Provenance: Arne Schlesch & José Juárez...
Marble, Bronze
$16,500 / set
H 27 in W 13 in D 12 in
Pair of Regency Gilt and Patinated Bronze Atlas Figural Candelabra
By Messenger & Phipson
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Regency or William IV figural candelabra in form of Atlas and a globe. Six arms issuing from top. Patinated bronze, gilded bronze and bronze. A truly rare from. Attributed to...
Bronze
$24,500 / set
H 28 in W 15 in D 10.5 in
Fine Pair of French 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Candelabra
By Claude Michel Clodion
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of French 19th century gilt bronze and patinated bronze figural four-light candelabra, each modeled as a baby Bacchus, in the form of a child faun, seated on tree trunk a...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Victorian Marble and Gilt Bronze Candelabras
By Henry Dasson
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Victorian (19th Century) black marble and gilt bronze trim 3-light candelabras with extensive floral and swag design & lion paw details (signed: HENRY DASSON 1879) (PR...
Marble, Ormolu
$29,700 / set
H 30 in W 12 in D 10 in
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Figural Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A pair of spectacular and prominent antique French Empire-style figural patinated and gilt bronze candelabra. Each candelabrum takes the form of a fully modeled winged female figure,...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1890s French bronze dore three-arm candelabra. Measurements: Height 14.25" Diameter 6".
Bronze
Pair of Large Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These exceptional, large pair of red marble and gilt bronze candelabra is opulently decorated finely-cast neoclassical style decorations. Each candelabrum is formed as a red marble vase...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
A Fine Pair of French Restoration Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Restoration (1st Half 19th Century) gilt bronze three-light candelabras with a flame finial top, resting on 3 dolphin legs over a triangular ...
Bronze
A fine pair of French gilt bronze and marble Louis XV candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century French Louis XVI marble and gilt bronze candelabra. Fine quality.
Marble, Bronze
$5,500 / set
H 19.69 in W 9.45 in D 4.14 in
Fine Pair of Russian Figural Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra, circa 1800
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of end of 18th/early 19th century Russian neoclassical figural gilt and patinated bronze candelabra. Gilt-bronze circular pedestal on rectangular plinth, the base with neoclassical foliate frieze, the pedestal with surrounding frieze of stylized female masks with Russian-style headdresses, which are connected by draperies. Each pedestal with the patinated bronze figure of either a young man or a young woman in classical garments, each holding a baluster vase from which emerge naturalistically designed, cast and chiselled branches of leaves and roses, the rose flowers serving as bobeches for candles. The detailed and naturalistic design of the rose branches...
Bronze
$4,130 / set
H 29.53 in Dm 11.82 in
Pair of Six-Branch Gilt Bronze and Carrara Marble Candelabra – 19th Century
Located in NICE, FR
An exquisite and finely crafted pair of candelabra in gilt bronze and white Carrara marble, dating from the 19th century. Each candelabrum rests on a white marble base, enhanced wit...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Regency Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each Greek style classically draped male figure raising a three-light oil lamp shaped top on a square stepped plinth.
Bronze