Lot 239: Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, English (1834-1890) A bronze group of a hunting scene

The central huntsman surrounded by five hounds and his horse, holding aloft a fox, on naturalistic base, dark brown patination, signed J.E. Boehm 22.5cm high, 27.5cm wide, (8.5" high, 10.5" wide)

Born in Vienna, Boehm was the son of the Hungarian sculptor Joseph Daniel Boehm. He studied under his father before leaving to study in both Paris and Italy. He settled in England in 1862 and acquired many patrons amongst the English nobility and royalty. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy that year, and every year until his death except 1869.

Queen Victoria admired his work greatly and appointed him Sculptor-in-Ordinary in 1880. Boehm portrayed Queen Victoria and Prince Albert several times and became sculpture tutor to Princess Louise. He is also known for his portrait busts, amongst them Charles Darwin and Benjamin Disraeli, as well as his naturalistic animalier sculpture.

Literature: D. Bilby & M. Trusted British Sculpture 1470-2000 A Concise Catalogue of the Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum V&A Publications, London, 2000, page 198.