émile Louis Picault. “the Sommelier.” Bronze Sculpture. France.

A patinated bronze sculpture titled “Le Sommelier,” created by the French sculptor Émile Louis Picault (1833–1922), one of the outstanding figures in French Salon sculpture of the second half of the 19th century.

The full-length composition depicts a standing sommelier or cupbearer, dressed in a traditional costume with an apron and wearing a soft cap. In his right hand, the figure holds a goblet, while his left hand is extended in an expressive gesture. At his feet are a woven basket containing bottles and a single bottle placed separately—elements that immediately clarify the subject of the composition. The figure’s relaxed posture, the slight turn of the head, the animated facial expression, and the careful rendering of the folds in the clothing lend the entire scene a lively and narrative quality.

Picault pays particular attention to genre details: the accessories hanging from the belt, the texture of the apron, the basket, the bottles, and the goblet. The contrast between the smoother modeling of the face and hands and the energetic rendering of the clothing accentuates the play of light on the surface of the patinated bronze. The composition combines the academic precision of figurative representation with a taste for historical and genre subjects characteristic of late 19th-century French sculpture.

The pedestal bears the cast signature “E. PICAULT.” A circular foundry mark is present on the base. Other examples of the “Le Sommelier” model of comparable dimensions are known, allowing this composition to be confidently identified as one of Émile Louis Picault’s sculpted models.

Marks: Cast signature “E. PICAULT” on the pedestal. Circular foundry mark on the base.

Dimensions: Height 69.5 cm. Width 33 cm.

Condition: Good condition. Slight signs of age and natural wear on the patinated surface.

ID-ANTQ-16555