The spring muse - Jean Hugues (1849-1930)

The sculptor Jean Baptiste Hugues exhibited the first model (in plaster) of La Muse de la Source at the 1893 Salon, and the Musée d'Orsay has a large-scale edition in bronze and marble. In the case of the piece for sale, the Parisian foundry Siot-Decauville (stamped on the base and numbered) produced it in the early 20th century, around 1920. Original dark brown patina, moderate wear in keeping with its age, good overall condition.
Jean Baptiste Dominique Hugues was born in Marseille in 1849, studied sculpture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Marseille and continued his training in Paris, where he was awarded the Grand Prix de Rome in 1875 and stayed at the Villa Medici from 1876 to 1879. He was appointed professor and member of the Board of Governors of the Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts, and Officer of the Legion of Honor in 1903. Numerous works by this artist are exhibited in national museums and sites.