Bidspirit auction | BARON FRANCOIS JOSEPH BOSIO (1768–1845)

BARON FRANCOIS JOSEPH BOSIO (1768–1845) - HENRY IV AS A CHILD - France, circa 1860–1880. Silvered bronze sculpture. Original silvered bronze cast by F. Barbedienne, executed after the artist’s death. Signed BOSIO and bearing the foundry marks F. Barbedienne Fondeur and R?duction M?canique A. Collas Brevet?. Height: 50 cm. The sculpture is based on Bosio’s celebrated model, first exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1822, where it achieved considerable success. The work depicts the future King Henry IV of France (1553–1610) as a child during his years as Prince of Navarre. Created during the Bourbon Restoration, the model is regarded as one of Bosio’s best-known and most sought-after works. This cast was produced by the prestigious Barbedienne Foundry, one of the foremost and highest-quality French foundries of the 19th century, using the mechanical reduction process developed by Achille Collas. *Partial loss to the scabbard.