Au But (To the Goal)
Bronze
10 3/4 x 15 3/8 x 8 in
Biography
Alfred Boucher, a renowned French sculptor, was born to modest beginnings on September 23, 1850 in France. At an early age Boucher began to study with Marius Ramus to whom his talent was immediately apparent. In 1829 the promising young artist began to work with Paul DuBois, a sculptor who would eventually become a great friend and colleague of Boucher’s.
Throughout the beginning of his artistic career, Boucher traveled several times to Italy, where, surrounded by the work of the geniuses of antiquity, he was able to refine his skills and widen his knowledge. He spent two periods of time in Florence and in Rome, first from 1877-1878 and then five years later from 1883-1884.
Boucher’s sculpture is known mostly for its likeness to life and wonderful sense of movement, seen throughout the diverse sculpture he created within many genres. During his life, Boucher created everything from portrait busts of political leaders and other artists to decorative sculpture, such as for the Town Hall of Paris, allegorical works, such as his Diane Surprised with the Bath and Nymph with the Shell, and memorials, such as his monument Flachat of 1897 and his work on the Mausoleum Herriot in 1899. Boucher, however, is perhaps best known for his bronze work entitled Au But! or To The Goal.
In 1886 Boucher entered Au But! in the Prix de Salon, where it received the highest of honors along with critical acclaim and great admiration. As noted by the National Art Museum of Sport this dynamic piece was touted as, “’one of the masterpieces which honors French art.’” Au But! features three runners in a state of perpetual motion. The viewer’s eye is constantly moved and challenged by the extended limbs of the figures jutting out in every possible direction in addition to the rippling muscles Boucher modeled to create the runner’s bodies. As a result of the success of Au But!, following the Prix de Salon of 1886, the artist was commissioned to complete a larger version for the Luxemburg Gardens.
Although primarily known as an important French sculptor, Boucher was also a teacher and philanthropist. Along with teaching many young sculptors, Boucher is known to be the first master of the great Camille Claudel. In 1902, wanting to utilize his success in order to help those who had struggled as he had, Boucher, with Paul DuBois, created what was to become known as the beehive. The Beehive was a wine pavilion, which Boucher and DuBois converted into 24 wedge shaped artists’ studios. These 24 studios eventually grew into 140 and were a haven for struggling artists working in Paris. Throughout the 20th century well known artists such as Archipenko, Chagall, Soutine and Leger all took advantage of this wonderful space.
