Lot 62: CHARLOTTE GABRIELLE BESNARD, NEÉ DUBRAY FRENCH, 1855 - 1930

CHARLOTTE GABRIELLE BESNARD, NEÉ DUBRAY FRENCH, 1855 - 1930

A NEAPOLITAN YOUTH

measurements note
70cm., 27 1/2 in.

signed and dated: M^lle Charlotte Dubray Sculp. 1875 and inscribed Boyer & Roland Fondeurs

bronze, dark brown patina

NOTE

Charlotte-Gabrielle Besnard, née Dubray was taught sculpture by her father, Gabriel-Vital Dubray. She first exhibited at the Salon in 1874 and was awarded a silver medal in 1900. In 1875, the date on the present bust, Charlotte was in Rome, and she probably worked on her Neapolitan model at this time. It was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1876.

Dubray married the painter Albert Besnard, who was director of the French Academy in Rome. She was a sociétaire of the Société des Beaux Arts and exhibited a series of portrait busts at the RA from 1875-1878.

RELATED LITERATURE
Benezit vol.2, p.242; Lami vol.2, p.226; Graves vol.2, p.380