Lot 398

Private Collection
Sotheby's, 19th & 20th Century Sculpture, London, 20 May 2015, lot 98
Purchased from the above

First exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1890 as a wax model, and later at the Exposition Centennale in 1900, this sculpture was inspired by a painting by Achille Guillaumet entitled La Carieuse de aine de Bou-Saada of 1885 (Musée des Beaux-Arts, Rouen). Barrias has interpreted his figure with a more opulent and orientalist eye compared to the humble Realism of Guillaumet, who depicts her in a dejected mood and a plain shawl, whereas the sculptor embellishes the model with elaborate jewelled clasps set with semiprecious stones. The Susse foundry offered the model in various sizes and materials including a seated version with arms. There is a marble and bronze example in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris.