Young Peasant Boy Sowing Seed
Freestanding figurative sculpture in bronze or spelter/pot metal • European school, in the manner of Academic Realism or French 19th-century salon sculptors (comparable to works by artists like Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux or Eugène Marioton)
Style & Movement
Academic Realism / Late 19th Century Genre Sculpture
Medium & Technique
Cast metal with a dark brown/black patination, traditional lost-wax or sand casting technique with chased details
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th century (circa 1880-1920)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated height approximately 18 to 24 inches, freestanding vertical format
Subject Description
A full-length figurative sculpture depicting a young rural peasant boy or agricultural worker in motion, casually dressed with rolled sleeves and unbuttoned shirt, captured in the act of sowing or carrying agrarian equipment.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good overall condition, showing expected surface wear and patina rubbing consistent with age and domestic display
Estimated Market Value
800 to 1,500 USD
Auction Estimate
500 to 1,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired through European art markets or antique dealers, descending through private family collections in the United States
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the popular 19th-century academic genre style celebrating the dignity of labor and rural peasant life, heavily demanded by the middle-class art market during the Victorian and Edwardian eras
Notable Features
Dynamic contrapposto stance, expressive facial features looking off into the distance, realistic folds in the peasant clothing, and integration with an integral naturalistic base
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust, slight rubbing of the dark patina on high points and edges, potential minor scratches or oxidation spots typical of older metal castings
Conservation Recommendations
Dust gently with a soft, dry micro-fiber cloth; apply microcrystalline wax sparingly if patination requires protection; avoid harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive polishing