Lot 482: A Monumental French Bronze Sculpture of "Jeune

A Monumental French Bronze Sculpture of "Jeune Femme au Tambourin", after Jules-Felix Coutan (French, 1848-1939), inscribed "Jules Coutan, Thiebaut Freres Fondeurs" on the circular base, height 96 in.

Note: Known for his classically inspired allegorical works, Coutan had a long and successful career as a sculptor and teacher. He studied under Pierre-Jules Cavelier (1814-1894) at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1871 He debuted in the Salon of 1876, where he won the gold medal. In 1881, Coutan's proposed plans for a commemorative monument at Versailles were extraordinarily well received, and he was awarded the commission. Coutan was responsible for numerous public statues in Paris including those at the Courthouse, the City Hall, and the National Library. In 1889, he was one of the major contributors to the decorations of the Exposition Universalle and received a gold medal. At the 1900 Exposition Universalle, Coutan was responsible for the large sandstone portico at the Sèvres Factory Pavillion, now located in Felix-Desrvelles Square, and won the Grand Prix. That same year, Coutan was chosen as a replacement for Alexandre Falguiere (1831-1900) at the Academy of Beaux Arts. In 1905 he was named a professor at the École des Beaux-Arts, replacing Louis-Ernest Barrias (1841-1905). Coutan was a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor, and the Director of Manufacture for the Sévres Factory from 1891-1894 References: Bénézit. Dictionnaire des Peintres, Librairie Grund, 1976, vol. 3 p. 236 Kjellberg, Pierre. Bronzes of the 19th c., Schiffer Publishing, 1994