Paris Rag Picker Polychrome Terracotta Statuette Signed 19th C

Parisian rag picker
Chiffonnier de Paris
Statuette in polychrome terracotta, 19th century
H 23.6 cm                     9.29 inches
Base diameter: 9.3 cm          3.66 inches
Signature in hollow at the base: Eug. Larout (?).
Small accident at the base, minor.
From Honoré Daumier to Jean François Raffaëlli via Paul Gavarni, the character of the Parisian ragpicker was the subject of many illustrations by known artists of the time, as he was part of daily life in the streets and of Parisian scenes.
For more history refer to  a remarkable illustrated book , published in 2017 by Gallimard, written by Antoine Compagnon, Professor at the Collège de France and entitled  les Chiffonniers de Paris (496 pages, numerous illustrations) with the assistance of the Center National du Livre. ISBN 978-2-07-273514-1.