Lot 656: Jean Georges Pierre Achard, French (1871-1934) A bronze bust of William Frederick 'Buffalo Bill' Cody cast by the Gonot Foundry

cast by the Gonot Foundry
looking to dexter, on an integral plinth inscribed Offert par la Poetique au *** Juin 1911 and H. GONOT, dark brown patination, 69.5cm high (27.5" high)

Jean Georges Pierre Achard was renowned for producing portrait busts of well known public figures, and his portraits such as the present bronze are full of character and expression. Buffalo Bill's started his 'Wild West' show in 1872 which featured characters of the American West such as Sitting Bull. After touring much of America he brought the show to the UK and performed in front of Queen Victoria for the celebration of the Jubilee in 1887. In 1889 the tour travelled around Europe and played at the Exposition Universelle of 1889. In 1890 Buffalo Bill was introduced to Pope Leo XIII, a sign of the high regard he was held in by the leaders and rulers of the nations that he toured.

Related Literature:
E. Bénézit, Dictionnaire des peintres sculpteurs dessinateurs et graveurs Paris, 1999, vol. 1, p. 44