PROPERTY OF THE MARQUESS OF SLIGO FROM WESTPORT HOUSE, IRELAND
AIMÉ-JULES DALOU
FRENCH
1838 – 1902
BOULONNAISE ALLAITANT SON ENFANT (A YOUNG MOTHER FROM BOULOGNE FEEDING HER CHILD)
signed and dated: DALOU 1876
terracotta, on the original wooden revolving base (£300,000-500,000).
A detail of the work.
The sale of a rare French 19th century masterpiece at Sotheby’s in London on May 21 will hopefully secure the future of Westport House in Co. Mayo. The supremely rare life-size masterpiece in terracotta by Aimé-Jules Dalou will feature in a London sale of 19th and 20th century sculpture on May 21. Boulonnaise allaitant son enfant (A Young Mother from Boulogne feeding her Child) was acquired directly from the artist in 1876 by George John Browne, 3rd Marquess of Sligo. Exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1877 it was subsequently installed at Westport House, Co. Mayo. It remained on view there until last year. Estimated at £300,000-500,000 the terracotta is one of the last museum-quality life-size works by Dalou in private hands.
The work is being sold by Jeremy Browne, the 11th Marquess of Sligo, who said: “Dalou’s masterpiece has been enjoyed by generations of visitors to Westport House. We hope that the proceeds raised through its sale will secure the future of one of Ireland’s best-loved attractions for generations to come.”
Alexander Kader, Head of Sotheby’s European Sculpture & Works of Art Department, commented that the sale will provide collectors and institutions with a matchless opportunity to acquire one of Dalou’s seminal works.
UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £362,500