Horse training with its stable lad - Comte du Passage (1838-1909)

A rare large bronze group with nuanced dark brown patina

circa 1896
signed on the base "C du Passage"
Period cast
dimensions : H. 81 – L. 110 – D. 44 cm

Reward for the Regional Contest of Moulins in 1896 as it is mentionned to the front of the base : "Ministère de l’Agriculture / Concours Régional Hippique de Moulins / 1896 / Prix d’Honneur".

Bibliography : Pierre Kjellberg, Les bronzes du XIXème siècle, dictionnaire des sculpteurs, les Editions de l'Amateur, 2005, modèle reproduit page 560.

Biography :
Arthur Marie Gabriel comte du Passage (1838-1909) was a French animal sculptor. He began a military career and at the same time practiced sculpture with illustrious masters such as Antoine-Louis Barye and Pierre-Jules Mêne. While serving as a second lieutenant at Maubeuge, he exhibited at the Salon in 1865. He also produced sports drawings published in newspapers of the time. However, at this time of his life he saw all of this as just artistic training and did not consider leaving the military career for art.

It was in 1862 that a heavy fall from his horse permanently handicapped the count and he had to quit the profession of arms. If he had the greatest difficulty walking, he could still ride a horse and thus followed the many hunts. He also befriended Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The sculptor worked in his studio at the Château de Bernaville in Frohen, and regularly sent his works to the Salon of the French Artists. One of the most famous works of the Comte du Passage is this "Horse in training with his lad".