‘Cupid & Psyche’ – An Important Parcel-Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figure, by François-Raoul Larche.
Signed to the base ‘Raoul Larche 1891’.
This finely cast parcel-gilt bronze figure depicts Cupid and Psyche with Zephyr.
French, dated 1891.
(1860-1912)
The son of an ornamental sculptor, François-Raoul Larche was a well-known Art Nouveau sculptor born in St.-André-de-Cubzac. He entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1878, studying under François Jouffroy, Eugène Delaplanche and Alexandre Falguière.
Larche was a regular exhibitor at the official salons beginning in 1884, and was awarded the Second Grand Prix in 1886 at the Prix de Rome competition. He received a gold medal at the Exposition Universelle in 1900.
Raoul Larche produced works in a number of different styles but is best known and celebrated for his highly accomplished naturalistic Art Nouveau style, influenced by famous dancers of the period such as Loie Fuller.
He died accidentally in 1912.
By appointment only.
