The Binder (Le botteleur) c. 1894 - 1934

"The Binder (Le botteleur)" is a bronze sculpture by the French sculptor Aimé-Jules Dalou, created between 1894 and 1934. The sculpture depicts a muscular man, bent over, binding sheaves of wheat, a common task for agricultural workers in the late 19th century. Dalou's signature realist style is evident in the detailed depiction of the man's anatomy and the textured surface of the sculpture, giving the work a sense of immediacy and authenticity. The small scale of the sculpture suggests that it was intended for private collection or display in a domestic setting.