Henri Picard

HENRI PICARD (France, 1840–1890).
Pedestal.
Gilded bronze on a marble base.
Signed “Henri Picard.”
Measurements: 120 x 40 x 40 cm.
The pedestal is crafted from finely chiseled bronze gilded with mercury and crowned by a circular marble cap. Its design reflects the eclectic and sumptuous style characteristic of the Second French Empire, combining elements drawn from the classical repertoire with the ornate richness typical of the Napoleon III style. The structure rests on three curvilinear legs joined by a triangular crossbar, while the shaft takes the form of a mythologically inspired winged female figure, conceived as a caryatid. The figure, with its refined modeling and high sculptural quality, supports an ornate capital on her head that serves as a support for the tabletop. The piece is further embellished with mascarons, volutes, palmettes, plant motifs, and finials inspired by the Renaissance and Baroque periods, executed with extraordinary technical virtuosity.
The piece is signed by Henri Picard (Paris, active between 1831 and 1864), one of the most prestigious bronze casters in 19th-century France. Based on Rue Jarente in Paris, Picard won a First-Class Medal at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London and was awarded the Medal of Honor at the 1855 World’s Fair in Paris, establishing himself as one of the leading suppliers of ornamental bronzes to the European aristocracy and upper middle class. His works stand out for the exceptional quality of their chiseling and gilding, as well as for their reinterpretation of models inspired by the Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI styles, adapted to the refined taste of the Second Empire. This pedestal is a prime example of Henri Picard’s skill, where the technical excellence of the casting and chiseling is combined with a rich classical iconography and a composition of distinctly sculptural character.