Signed Religious Bronze of Jesus By Francois-Raoul Larche, ca 1900.

A bronze entitled “Jesus devant les Docteurs” by Francois-Raoul Larche (1860-1912)
Signed to the base and numbered NPE152

Biography.
The son of an ornamental sculptor, François-Raoul Larche was a well-known Art Nouveau sculptor born in St.-Andrè-de-Cubzac. He entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1878, studying under François Jouffroy, Eugène Delaplanche and Alexandre Falguière.
Larche was a regular exhibitor at the official salons beginning in 1884, and was awarded the Second prize in 1886 at the Prix de Rome competition. He received a gold medal at the Exposition Universelle in 1900.
Raoul Larche produced works in a number of different styles but is best known and celebrated for his highly accomplished naturalistic Art Nouveau style, influenced by famous dancers of the period such as Loie Fuller.
He died accidentally in 1912.

In good condition, this piece is a fine example of the work of Larche and dates to circa 1900.