Alfred Boucher

Alfred Boucher (1850 – 1934), was a French sculptor, who became the favourite of presidents and royals such as George I of Greece.

He was born in Bouy-sur-Ovin (Nogent-sur-Seine), the son of a farmhand. When his father became the gardener for the sculptor Joseph-Marius Ramus, Alfred’s talent became apparent, and Ramus made his studio available to him.

After winning the Grand Prix du Salon in 1881, he decided to move to Florence. He’d been keen to support the next generation and taught sculptors such as Laure Coultan and Camille Claudel for over three years. When he decided to move, he handed the teaching of his pupils over to his friend Auguste Rodin. Rodin and Claudel went on to have their famous tumultuous and passionate relationship.

He received the Grand Prix de sculpture de l’Exposition Universelle in 1900 and in 1902 he set up the studio La Riche in Montparnasse to help young artists. He died at the age of 84 in Aix-les-Baines.