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
$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
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze 3-Light Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
The appeal of the Napoleon III style (sometimes referred to as the Second Empire) stems from the fact that art and furniture from the mid-1800s incorporated elements from previous Fr...
Metal, Bronze
$14,500 / set
H 36 in W 12.25 in D 10.5 in
A Fine Pair of French 19th Century Gilt-Bronze & Turquin Blue Marble Candelabras
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine Pair of French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bleu Turquin Marble Six-Light Fingural Candelabras. The highly decorative pair of candelabra, each masterfully...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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
$6,259
H 27.96 in Dm 5.91 in
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Figural Candelabra
Located in Nottingham, GB
An exceptional pair of French Empire style gilt bronze and patinated bronze candelabra, modelled in the grand Neoclassical tradition of the early 19th century. Each candelabrum feat...
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 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
$22,937
H 23.63 in W 7.88 in D 8.27 in
Pair of Louis XVI Period Gilt-Bronze and Marble Figural Candelabra, France 1780
By Étienne Maurice Falconet
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Louis XVI Period Gilt-Bronze and Marble Three-Light Figural Candelabra. Modelled as partially robed classical maidens. One with a floral posy at her feet, representing Spi...
Marble, Ormolu
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
$9,041 / set
H 17 in Dm 5 in
19th Century Pair of Marble and Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra by Eugène Hazart
By Eugene Bazart
Located in London, GB
A Fine Pair of Figural Candelabra Signed Eugène Hazart of Paris Constructed in Carrara marble and finely cast gilt bronze, rising from a square gilt panelled base, each candelabrum ...
Marble, Ormolu
$4,164 / set
H 17.92 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Pair of French Empire Revival Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra - 18in
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
An exceptional pair of French Empire Revival gilt bronze figural candelabra, masterfully sculpted as elegant classical maidens supporting four-light candle branches. Richly detailed ...
Bronze
$15,000 / set
H 48 in W 14 in D 6.5 in
Pair of French Gilt Bronze Angelic Figural Candelabras, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of French gilt bronze and painted candelabras with five scrolled floral acanthus arms, adorned with flanking angelic figures standing on circular spheres over squared plinths wi...
Bronze