Emile Louis Picault (1833-1915), The Offering Of Queen Nitocris, Return From Egypt

Exceptional and interesting bronze by Emile Louis Picault (1833-1915) The offering of Queen Nitocris Bronze signed on the base "Picault", on the back is affixed the mark of the founder G. Servant (G the drawing of a bee and an S) followed by gold medal 1867. Bronze dimension: H: 72 cm square base of 19.5 cm Dimension with base: Width 42.5 cm D: 25 H: 20 cm Total height 92 cm A base has been made to come and sublimate the bronze. It is probably a custom creation made by the founder Georges Servant. We found no trace of this base model. On the other hand, Georges Servant made many clocks on the theme of the return from Egypt and we find bases using the same tones and the same materials. Namely marble, bronze and stone. See Sotheby's New York sale of October 23, 2008, lot 193 to see a plinth in the same style. Note some gaps on our base as you can see in the photos. A black plate has been glued. Note: Our bronze originally forms a pair with a model representing King Menthuophis This is one of the most sought-after works by Emile Louis Picault on the art market, at least those who reach the largest records. Here he joins forces with one of the best bronzers of his generation. Gold medal obtained at the Universal Exhibition of 1867. The date on the back of 1867 is very interesting because it allows us to date the casting of the work exactly, which is rare in a bronze. The founder only had the right to affix his mark followed by “1867 gold medal” on his creations of that year. The gold medal awarded to him shows his very good craftsmanship which coincides with this beautiful quality work, the carving is of great finesse. There is some wear to the gilding but the bronze is in superb condition. Émile-Louis Picault (1833-1915) trained by the Dutch sculptor Louis Royer and exhibited a wide range of works at the Paris Salons between 1863 and 1909; His most popular works are part of the tradition of ethnographic art in France from the second half of the 19th century. Georges Emile Henri Servant (1828-c. 1890) succeeded his father in 1855 at the head of the management of the family foundry located rue Vieille-du-Temple in Paris, Georges-Émile-Henri Servant developed a pronounced taste for the works in Egyptian and Greek Revival style. These styles, which became very popular in the second half of the 19th century, ensured it a real success. He participated in the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1855 and in 1867 on the occasion of which he won the gold medal. His works are also admired internationally, notably in England during the Universal Exhibition of 1862 and in the United States. Our subject To understand our subject, it is necessary to evoke its counterpart, the male figure is traditionally identified as the Pharaoh Menthuophis, ruler of Egypt, who was assassinated around 2200 BC He is replaced by Queen Nitocris (our bronze), who was considered his wife or sister. She would be the first female Pharaoh. According to legend, his six-year reign witnessed two significant events: the completion of the third pyramid of Giza (the small one) and the dramatic revenge imposed on the murderers of Menthuophis. Seeking to avenge the pharaoh's death, the queen held a banquet for the accomplices in an underground chamber she had specially built for the event. At the height of the party, Nitocris suddenly flooded the chambers with water brought from the Nile through a hidden pipe. Everyone drowned except for Nitocris, who did not escape Egyptomania The Egyptian style, very fashionable since Napoleon I and his famous military campaigns in Egypt, undertaken in 1799 and inaugurating the famous style “ Return from Egypt”, was rediscovered in France in the 1830s and especially around 1860. Several French artists of great renown, such as the sculptors and bronzers Guillaume Denière (1815-1903), Emile Hébert (1828-1893), Emile Louis Picault (1833-1915) and Georges Servant (1828-1890) produced Egyptian-style art objects specially for the Paris Universal Exhibitions of 1867 and 1878, presented on luxurious stands reserved for them. Reference for our model, some examples Christie's New York, MAY 2, 2001, lot 73, $110,500 per pair (Same size, foundry stamp not reported, different patina) Christie's New York, April 23, 2002, lot 39, $59,750 the pair (Same size, foundry mark not reported) Christie's New York, April 19, 2006, lot 68, $114,000 the pair (Same size, same cast, different patina)