for Hermes). His bronze of Morpheus, also produced in 1890 bears many similarities to the present figure, the dark, blackish patination, the nude figure in contra posto pose with arm raised and the integral circular base are features both bronzes share. (See National Museum of Wales, Cardiff No. NMW A 380'). The final obvious comparable is ‘Boy at Play’, which depicts a youthful nude stepping forward with left arm raised. 'Boy at Play' reveals the influence of both Jules Dalou (1838-1902) and of Alfred Gilbert 1853-1934). A full size bronze was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1896 and in the Paris 'Exposition Universelle' of 1900, where John was awarded a gold medal. The sculpture appears to be a depiction of a rather mundate subject and yet the sculptor’s treatment of the physique, surface, pose and style of the youth represent an important rejection of the prevailing classical style and signify the emergence of a modernism that was expressed through the English New Sculpture movement. A version of the ‘Boy at Play’ is in the Tate Gallery, London, no. 1755. The signature on the bronze is difficult to read but could be interpreted as 'W. JOHN Sth 1890', could it be that he signed the bronze this way instead of as Gosbombe John? He was not born with the name Goscombe, but added it to his name as a young man. E Gruet Jeune (active 1891-1904) was founded by Edmond-Paul Gruet (1891-1904) who in 1891, following his father's death, settled at 44 bis, Avenue de Châtillon. In a commercial directory, he describes a 'fonderie artistique d'argent, de cuivre et de bronzes monumentaux. Cire perdue, étains artistiques'. The name Gruet Jeune appears in Rodin's invoices in 1897, suggesting that he was still using the foundry to cast his bronzes at this stage. The foundry also cast works for the important American sculptor Frederick William MacMonnies (American, 1863-1937) and the New Sculpture artists Edgar Bertram Mackennal (1863-1931) and Herbert Ward (1863-1919). Other major figures associated with the New Sculpture school included the following artists, their pupils and those in their circles; C. J. Allen Harry Bates Gilbert Bayes Sir Thomas Brock Jules Dalou Alfred Drury Edward Onslow Ford George Frampton, Alfred Gilbert Frederic Leighton Andrea Carlo Lucchesi Henry Albert Pegram, F.W. Pomeroy, James Havard Thomas Hamo Thornycroft & Albert Toft (Qty: 1) 82cm
for Hermes). His bronze of Morpheus, also produced in 1890 bears many similarities to the present figure, the dark, blackish patination, the nude figure in contra posto pose with arm raised and the integral circular base are features both bronzes share. (See National Museum of Wales, Cardiff No. NMW A 380'). The final obvious comparable is ‘Boy at Play’, which depicts a youthful nude stepping forward with left arm raised. 'Boy at Play' reveals the influence of both Jules Dalou (1838-1902) and of Alfred Gilbert 1853-1934). A full size bronze was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1896 and in the Paris 'Exposition Universelle' of 1900, where John was awarded a gold medal. The sculpture appears to be a depiction of a rather mundate subject and yet the sculptor’s treatment of the physique, surface, pose and style of the youth represent an important rejection of the prevailing classical style and signify the emergence of a modernism that was expressed through the English New Sculpture movement. A version of the ‘Boy at Play’ is in the Tate Gallery, London, no. 1755. The signature on the bronze is difficult to read but could be interpreted as 'W. JOHN Sth 1890', could it be that he signed the bronze this way instead of as Gosbombe John? He was not born with the name Goscombe, but added it to his name as a young man. E Gruet Jeune (active 1891-1904) was founded by Edmond-Paul Gruet (1891-1904) who in 1891, following his father's death, settled at 44 bis, Avenue de Châtillon. In a commercial directory, he describes a 'fonderie artistique d'argent, de cuivre et de bronzes monumentaux. Cire perdue, étains artistiques'. The name Gruet Jeune appears in Rodin's invoices in 1897, suggesting that he was still using the foundry to cast his bronzes at this stage. The foundry also cast works for the important American sculptor Frederick William MacMonnies (American, 1863-1937) and the New Sculpture artists Edgar Bertram Mackennal (1863-1931) and Herbert Ward (1863-1919). Other major figures associated with the New Sculpture school included the following artists, their pupils and those in their circles; C. J. Allen Harry Bates Gilbert Bayes Sir Thomas Brock Jules Dalou Alfred Drury Edward Onslow Ford George Frampton, Alfred Gilbert Frederic Leighton Andrea Carlo Lucchesi Henry Albert Pegram, F.W. Pomeroy, James Havard Thomas Hamo Thornycroft & Albert Toft (Qty: 1) 82cm
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
