Bouval, Maurice

Maurice Bouval was born on the 9th of March, 1863, his family originally from La Coucourde.  He studied at the studio of Falguiere while at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris where he was honored with numerous medals.  Exhibiting at Salon from 1891 to 1914, he received a bronze medal in 1893 for Child Hunter, a gold medal in 1900 for the work he accomplished in decorating the entrance to the shipping and trade pavilion of the Exposition Universelle, becoming a member of the Societe des Artistes Francais and being elected as an officer of the Academie in 1897 as well as officer of Instruction Publique in 1911.  He worked with a number of major foundries, including Thiebaut Freres, Colin and Cie, Jollet and Goldscheider, each producing exceptional casts during his lifetime.  His work is highly regarded and well listed in most major discussions of sculptors of the Art Nouveau period.

Further Reading and Notes: 

• Benezit, Dictionary of Artists, vol. II, Gründ, 2006, p. 1059
• Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century, Dictionary of Sculptors, Kjellberg, p. 139-40
• Bronzes and Founders, vol. II, III, IV, Berman [numerous examples of his more popularized sculptures]