Henri Bouillon (1864–1934) – Porteuse aux champs, important bronze

Large and rare bronze sculpture with original brown patina, titled on the base PORTEUSE AUX CHAMPS, signed Henri Bouillon and bearing the founder’s stamp E. GRUET JEUNE.
Late 19th-century cast, in fine condition.

Henri Théophile Bouillon (1864–1934) – Sculptor of statues and busts. A pupil of Dubois, Mercié and Auguste Paris, he made his debut at the Salon in 1887 with a child’s bust, and was awarded a medal at the Exposition Universelle of 1900.
Museum collections: Angoulême (Porteuse aux champs), Tarbes (Bust of Théophile Gautier).
Bibliography: Benezit.

Gruet Foundry – This family foundry, which worked for various sculptors including Rodin, was established at 195 rue du Maine around 1880, later moving to 44bis avenue de Châtillon at the end of the 19th century.
Bibliography: Les Bronzes du XIXe siècle.