Lot 398: Sir William Goscombe John (1860-1952) Boy at Play,

Sir William Goscombe John (1860-1952) Boy at Play, bronze,1895, signed to the base W. Goscombe John 1895 45.5cm At the age of fourteen, William John entered the Bute Workshops, working on the decoration of Cardiff Castle. In 1881 he joined the London studio of the sculptor Thomas Nicholls. In 1889 he gained the Royal Academy Gold Medal and a Travelling Studentship. His travels ended in Paris, where he was much influenced by Auguste Rodin (1840-1917). He set up his first London studio in 1891, and quickly established his reputation. Boy at Play reveals the influence of both Jules Dalou (1838-1902) and of Alfred Gilbert (1853-1934). A full size bronze was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1896. Boy at Play was also exhibited in the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900, where John was awarded a gold medal.