Lot 1224: A patinated bronze figure: La Sorciere de MacbethJacques Louis Gautier (French, born 1831)mid-19th century Fine Furniture, Silver, Decorative Arts & Clocks

With deep brown patina, inscribed L.J. Gautier to side of base, and Macbeth to front of base. height 22 3/4in (58cm)

Pierre Kjellberg, Les Bronzes du XIXe Siecle, Les Editions de l'Amateur, 1987, ill. p. 354 Peter Fusco and H.W. Janson, The Romantics to Rodin, Los Angeles County Museum exh. cat., 1980, discussed p. 281 Shepherd Gallery, 19th Century French and Western European Sculpture in Bronze and Other Media, exh. cat., spring 1985, pp. 92-93, ill. no. 37B

Originally conceived in 1853 as a caricature of one of the three witches featured in Shakespeare's play Macbeth, this expressive work became popular during the middle of the 19th century, and Lami notes that bronze models were produced for the Duchess of Alba and Napoleon III. However, according to Kjellberg, it has appeared only rarely at public sales since then. Gautier was a student of Francois Rude, the important early 19th century French sculptor. This piece should be considered a pendant for Gautier's equally macabre Mephistopheles.