Emile Louis Picault

EMILE LOUIS PICAULT (Paris, 1833–1915).
“La Source du Pactole.”
Patinated bronze, narnol base, and bronze mounts.
Features an inscription and the stamp of the distributor “Casa Bellas Artes.”
Signed.
Measurements: 78 x 50 x 37 cm; 124 x 45 x 40 cm.
An allegorical sculpture representing the Pactolus River, famous in Greek mythology for its gold-bearing sands. The figure is personified as a half-naked youth, seated on a rock formation and leaning against a large amphora from which water flows. He holds a staff and displays various attributes related to craftsmanship and the working of metals, alluding to the material wealth associated with this mythological river. The composition, inspired by classical art, stands out for the anatomical rendering of the male figure, the naturalness of his posture, and the expressive modeling of the body.
The origin of this model is documented at the 1898 Paris Salon des Beaux-Arts, where Picault presented the work under the title *La Source du Pactole (le Travail)*, meaning “The Source of the Pactolus (Work).” Its inclusion in the official illustrated catalog of that exhibition, under number 3762, constitutes a particularly relevant historical reference for establishing its chronology and authorship. The model subsequently achieved widespread circulation through various bronze editions, marketed in different sizes. The Casa Bellas Artes stamp is an interesting element in the history of this piece, as it links it to the international distribution of French bronze sculpture.
In this case, the sculpture is presented on a striking pedestal of veined green marble, designed as an integral part of the ensemble. With an architectural structure and a truncated pyramidal profile, it is organized into distinct stepped sections that provide stability and elevation to the figure.
Émile Louis Picault was a French sculptor and medalist born in Paris in 1833, whose career spanned the second half of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th. He trained under the influence of the painter Henri Royer, although some biographical sources also cite Louis Royer as his teacher. He began exhibiting his works at the Paris Salon in 1863, participating regularly for several decades. In 1883, he received an honorable mention for his work *Valentin*, an accolade that helped solidify his presence on the French sculpture scene. His work is held in major European public collections, including the Musée d’Orsay and the Petit Palais in Paris, the museums of Troyes, Reims, and Clermont-Ferrand, as well as the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.