"the Reaper," Gilded Bronze By Jean Gautherin, Late 19th Century

Jean Gautherin (1840–1890)
The Reaper Sharpening His Scythe
Gilded bronze
Cast by Jollet & Cie, Paris
Late 19th century

A beautiful gilt bronze cast depicting *The Reaper*, a young barefoot peasant wearing a wide-brimmed hat and rolled-up trousers, pausing from his work to sharpen the blade of his scythe.
Gautherin captures this familiar gesture from farm work with great naturalness. The handle of the scythe rests on the ground while the young man holds the long blade in front of him as he sharpens it. The anatomical precision, the figure’s focused posture, and the fluid rendering of the clothing attest to the quality of the modeling.
The pedestal is signed “Jean Gautherin” and bears the circular stamp of the foundry Jollet & Cie, Bronzes, Paris.
Jean Gautherin (1840–1890) was one of the leading French sculptors of the second half of the 19th century. Born in Ouroux-en-Morvan to a peasant family, he showed a penchant for sculpture at a very young age, carving small figures and objects out of wood during his childhood. After moving to Paris, he worked notably in Charles Gumery’s studio before enrolling at the École des Beaux-Arts in 1864. He made his debut at the Salon in 1865 and exhibited there regularly, winning several awards. His *Saint Sebastian*, presented in 1876 and acquired by the French government, was one of his first major successes. Appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1878, Gautherin received numerous public commissions and created works, notably for the City of Paris. Several of his sculptures are now housed at the Musée d’Orsay, including *Saint Sebastian*, *Clotilde de Surville*, and the portrait of Madame Gautherin.
The subject of *The Reaper* holds special significance in Gautherin’s work due to his own rural roots in the Morvan region. This attentive and realistic depiction of peasant labor is fully in line with the naturalist style of late 19th-century French sculpture.

Beautiful quality of casting and chiseling. Original gilding showing very slight signs of wear consistent with its age. No damage or repairs.