Presented is an excellent French bronze statue titled “Le Cri” by Francois Brochet, dated 1968. This statue is one of eight total castings. The bronze depicts a woman in a headkerchief with her arms outstretched and her face turned up, crying out to the heavens. The woman is sculpted in the signature stylized and elongated Mannerism inspired style of Francois Brochet (1925-2001), noted painter, watercolorist, and sculptor as well as winner of the Prix Bourdelle de Sculpture in 1963.
This piece is in great overall condition. There is some wear to the patina, notably on the lefthand side of the woman's dress, and a little to the kerchief. The woman's fingers on the right hand have a bit of a bend to them. There is a little gouge to the woman's forehead. No breaks and no repairs.
This piece is stamped on the top side of the base with the foundry mark for E. Godard, “cire perdue” for “lost wax,” and the numbering of the piece, 7 out of 8 or possibly 1 out of 8. The woman's kerchief is signed F. Brochet, for Francois Brochet.
The statue stands about 22 7/8 inches tall, and measures about 14 inches wide across the arms. The base measures about 5 1/2 x 4 inches.
The bronze weighs 16 pounds 6.5 ounces or 7.4 kilograms. -jm
