Terracotta Sculpture "the Botanist" — Signed By Ricard And Dated 1877

A remarkable, original terracotta sculpture depicting a young botanist engrossed in his reading, created and signed by the sculptor Ricard and dated 1877 on the underside of the piece.

The work delicately captures a barefoot young boy, wearing a shirt with rolled-up sleeves and short pants, sitting serenely on a tree stump at the edge of a grove. He holds a small book in both hands, which he studies with intense concentration. At the foot of the trunk lies his spade, leaning against the relief of the pedestal. The title of the work, “A BOTANIST,” is engraved in capital letters directly on the front of the pedestal.

This terracotta sculpture is fully in keeping with the 19th-century taste for naturalistic and romantic genre scenes, celebrating intellectual curiosity and a return to nature. The modeling demonstrates great sculptural mastery, evident in the fluidity of the drapery, the pensive expression on the face, and the realistic rendering of the plant elements and tools.

Condition: One arm is missing. Restoration is recommended.

Height: 27 cm

Material: Terracotta