Lot 73: Louis Victor Bougron (French, 1798-1886): A bronze figure of Pepin

brown patination, signed L.V. Bougron and inscribed PEPIN, 40cm high

Pepin (714-768), called Pepin the Short, was King of the Franks from 751 to 768. The present bronze depicts a scene when, according to legend, Pepin was at the circus viewing a fight between a lion and a bull. The bull was really beginning to struggle and was close to death, Pepin cried out to his companions “Will one of you separate the beasts?” None went forward to rescue the bull, only Pepin had the courage to leap into the arena and kill the lion with his dagger.