The Binder (Le botteleur) c. 1894 - 1934

Curator: Welcome. Today, we’re looking at "The Binder," or "Le botteleur," a bronze sculpture by Aimé-Jules Dalou. Its creation dates are approximately 1894 to 1934. Editor: Wow, it's raw, isn't it? A visceral depiction of physical labor. The figure is all tension, bent over with exhaustion, almost animalistic in his posture. Curator: Precisely. Note Dalou's use of realism. The musculature is articulated, but not idealized. We see the strain etched into the figure. The surface treatment is also quite significant, capturing the ruggedness and weightiness of the scene. Editor: There’s an interesting contrast between the smooth skin and the rough texture of…is that hay he's working with? Or stone? The base is ambiguous and it's grounding him but at the same time holding him back like a character in Dante’s Inferno. Curator: It appears to be some undefined natural material, possibly representative of the land itself. This emphasizes his connection to the earth and the hard work that comes with it. This focus reflects Dalou's engagement with social realism and his interest in the lives of ordinary laborers. The Binder is devoid of any glorification, which gives it its power. Editor: Definitely no pomp here! Just sweat and toil. There is something noble about how he isn’t performing it, but existing within the toil like an old oak tree weathered over time. It’s so physical and honest, it transcends time and culture. Even in the space it currently occupies, it seems to resonate from the past, with echoes from an agricultural life being displaced in real time. Curator: Dalou masterfully captures that feeling. The work presents a unique material composition along with emotional context of honest manual labour. Editor: Right. Sobering, beautiful...a humble hero rendered in bronze. Curator: I agree. A poignant reflection on the dignity of labor. Editor: Makes you want to get your hands dirty, right? Maybe not…But definitely makes me appreciate the things built and maintained around me.