Marcel Bouraine

Marcel Bouraine studied under Jean Alexandre Joseph Falguiere (1881-1900), who had re-introduced and emphasized realism in 19th century sculpture. Bouraine was taken prisoner-of-war in Germany during WWI and interned in Switzerland where he produced several monuments, one for the city of Lausanne. In 1922, he exhibited at the Salon des Tuileries followed by an exhibition at the Salon d’Autommne. He executed small-scale sculptures of terracotta, alabaster, and bronze for several French firms, mainly animals and statues. He also designed articles of daily use such as lamps, bookends and radiator figures. In particular demand were his figures combining bronze and ivory. The bronze figures often have silvered, patinated or hammered surfaces. Stylistically, he is assigned to realism and Art Deco. He sometimes worked under the pseudonyms Marcel-André Derenne and Briand.

Of the total of 13 entered bronze figures, several could be identified with great likelihood. These include the Shot-Putter (82 cm high), the Tennis player (40 cm), two Boxer_s (38 cm), which also exist as a group on a common base, _Diver (46 cm), Golfers (60 cm) and Javelin thrower (44 cm). It is uncertain whether the figure The Kick (35.5 cm) is identical with the Footballer.