Aime Jules Dalou (1838-1902) A detail from the work.
A rare 19th century French masterpiece which has graced Westport House in Co. Mayo for generations sold for £362,500 at Sotheby’s in London on May 21. This was within the estimate of £300,000-500,000. The terracotta by Aimé-Jules Dalou – Boulonnaise allaitant son enfant (A Young Mother from Boulogne feeding her Child) – had been acquired directly from the artist in 1876 by George John Browne, 3rd Marquess of Sligo.
On its original revolving wooden base it was one of the last museum quality works by Dalou in private hands. It was sold, reluctantly, by the 11th Marquess who hopes to use the proceeds to secure the future of Westport House which is a major west of Ireland tourist attraction.
It was bought by the National Gallery of Canada.
See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 2, 2014.