Alfred Dubucand
French, 1828-1894
Pheasant, ca. 1870-1890
Cast bronze
H. 7 1/4 in. x W. 3 in. x L. 11 1/2 in.
Metz 279

Born in Paris, France, on November 25, 1828, Dubucand was an adept Animalier sculptor who studied in the Paris studios of sculptors Lequien and Antoine Louis Barye. Modeled with exceptional detail, some Dubucand bronzes are patinated in the multi-colored style favored by Barye.

Dubucand’s attention to detail and his ability to capture lifelike movement set him apart from many of those in the Animalier school. He made his debut at the Salon of 1867 with a wax model of a dead pheasant, and he continued to exhibit at annual Salons with great success until 1883. This Pheasant may be one of a pair of male and female pheasants executed by Dubucand in the last quarter of the nineteenth century.