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bronze statue of a horse and a dog on a white backgrounda close up of a bronze statue of a manbronze statue of a horse and a dog on a white backgroundbronze sculpture of a man riding a horse on a plate
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180 - Arthur du PASSAGE (1838–1909)
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Estimate €16,000 - €18,000
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Description
Arthur du PASSAGE (1838–1909) ‘Stable boy saddling a mare in her stall’, 1872 Bronze with a brown patina, signed on the base: ‘A du Passage’. 34 x 70 cm. (Large version of two sizes) A rare example (of the large size) with great attention to detail: straw on the ground, the mare’s harness, the groom’s clothing, and the blanket marked ‘AP’ and surmounted by a crown. The signature, ‘A du Passage’, is significant. Indeed, it is known that this model, created in 1872, was exhibited at the Salon (in this size) in 1873. However, Arthur’s father died in 1872, and until his father’s death the artist signed as ‘Arthur du Passage’; then, from 1873 onwards (as the eldest son and heir to the title), he signed as ‘Comte du Passage’. Thus, our copy is one of the earliest and rarest prints produced in 1872. The scene is set in the stables of the Château de Frohen-le-Grand in Picardy, where our artist lived a sedentary life, having been disabled following a fall from a horse. The Polish stable boy who looked after the château’s stables can be recognised by his attire and his sideburns. It is worth noting that Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec – whose friendship with and admiration for Arthur du Passage are well known – drew inspiration from this model for his ‘Artilleryman Saddle-Up His Horse’. Below is a reference to this model in the draft catalogue raisonné compiled by his great-nephew Henri du Passage (who died in 2016 at the age of 93): ‘Groom saddling a horse in the stall’: This is one of the most successful models in every respect: on the one hand, for the particularly well-balanced proportions of both the jockey and the horse; on the other hand, for the dual scene presented to us: indeed, on one side the groom is struggling to girth the horse (which always puffs itself up during this process) whilst holding the end of the counter-girth between his teeth to resist the animal’s resistance. On the other hand, annoyed by a dog, the horse lays its ears back and threatens the intruder with a bite. At the same time, the horse rears up on its left hind leg, ready to kick. Every detail is remarkably rendered, from the straw to the blanket on the horse’s hindquarters, and from the cobblestones to the lad’s gaiters on the forequarters.”
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About the sale 2.30 pm – THE TREASURES OF ACTEON #39 in the pipeline
Auction location
Auction time 11/21/2026 at 2:30 PM
Ref. : 27212 - 106
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