French Bronze Sculpture of "Tunisian Water Carrier" by Marcel Debut

Description

A finely cast example of the Tunisian Water Carrier, there has been some confusion as to whether this sculpture was … more A finely cast example of the Tunisian Water Carrier, there has been some confusion as to whether this sculpture was executed by Jean Didier Debut or his son Marcel Debut. Pierre Kjellberg writes on this point, noting that the confusion stems from the fact that Marcel's father executed a model of the same title and of the same size. Jean Didier's model features a young man carrying a jug of water in each hand, while the present example by Marcel is much more rare and depicts a man carrying a large pot on a long stick over his shoulder while smaller jugs are tied around his belt; in his hand he holds a pair of pot-holders executed in white-metal.

The quality of casting in the present example is above reproach and the entire subject is finished in a complex patina of a brick-red in the figure, medium brown in his garment and burnished natural bronze in the pots. The sculpture was cast by the house of Charles Gautier and is inscribed "Ch. Gautier Bronzier" along the lower edge.

ARTIST
Born to sculptor Jean Didier Debut in Paris on March 27th of 1865, Marcel Debut studied first with his father and then at the École des Beaux Arts under Henri Chapu. He began to exhibit at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1883, including such works as Sommelier du XVe siècle (1889), Petit Pêcheur au harpon (1893), Actéon (1897), Le Génie des arts (1898), Une gueuse (1905), Watteau (1890), a vase with the theme of Persée et Andromède (1896), Labourage (1898) and L'Hiver (1913). He also executed numerous vases and bas-reliefs, designed some models for Sèvres to manufacture as statuettes and a bronze called Le Fauconnier which was offered at 85 cm in total height. In 1895 he received an honourable mention for his submission. Beyond his sculptures, he also dedicated himself to painting having studied under both Boulanger and Jules Lefebvre at the Academy; these views are often scenes of Paris. He died in 1933.

Artist Listings & Bibliography:

Bronzes: Sculptors & Founders, 1800-1930, vol. IV, Berman, Abage, 1980, p. 949, ill. 3637
E. Benezit Dictionary of Sculptors, vol. IV, Gründ, 2006, p. 541
Bronzes of the 19th Century: A Dictionary of Sculptors, Kjellberg, Schiffer, 1994, p. 266-267
The Dictionary of Western Sculptors in Bronze, Mackay, Baron, 1977, p. 95
Art Bronzes, Forrest, Schiffer, 1988, p. 473 [biography]

Measurements: 23 3/4" H x 12" D [at deepest points; 9" deep at base] x 10 1/2" W [at widest points; 7 1/2" wide at base] less