Lot 305: f - Arthur-Marie-Gabriel, Comte du Passage French, 1838-1909 , pur-sang au pas et son lad (a walking horse and groom)

signed & dated: A du Passage 1885 bronze, mid to dark brown patina

measurements note 33 by 50.5cm., 13 by 19 7/8 in.

Arthur-Marie-Gabriel, Comte du Passage developed a fascination for horses at an early age and went on to make them the central theme of his oeuvre. He initially pursued a military career in accordance with his family?s wishes, but took time out of his duties to study sculpture with two of the foremost animalier sculptors of his day ? Antoine-Louis Barye and Pierre-Jules Mêne. Du Passage belonged to a group of 19υth Century aristocratic sculptors who turned their own hand to the medium they so admired. Another such was Geoffrey, Comte de Ruille who also concentrated on animal subjects.

In 1865 du Passage exhibited for the first time at the Salon with a wax model of a dying Roe-deer and left the army a short while later having achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant. He was involved in an accident at this time, which left him partially paralysed and confined to a wheelchair. Fortunately he was able to continue with sculpture and spent most of his days drawing and modelling in the stables of his family home ? Chateau de Bernaville, at Frohen. Although his oeuvre was select he had considerable success and edited some of his models in several sizes.

Du Passage?s work is distinctive for its naturalistic incidental details. The round hat and turned-up trousers of the groom, as well as the accoutrements of the horse reflect his familiarity with the turf. Du Passage?s enthusiasm for his equine subjects is manifest in his bronzes and it has ensured their enduring appeal to those who share his passion.

See also lots 316 & 321.

RELATED LITERATURE
Payne, pp. 415-416; Lami vol. III, p. 49; Kjellberg, pp. 530-531