Bouraine, Marcel (1886-1948)
Born in Pontoise, France, he was self-taught and was taken prisoner by the Germans during the 1914-1918 war and was interned in Switzerland where he produced several monuments. He also exhibited at all the main Paris salons. After the war he worked until 1935. Bouraine also produced designs for glass statues which were produced by Argy-Rousseau during the 1930s. Best known for his chryselephantine figures he also made full bronzes and figural groups, many with a classical theme – like Diana the Huntress or his famous Amazonian Diana with shield and spear.
Bouraine used a pseudonym which was Derenne, he may also have used Briand (Brian), as there is a definite connection between the two as can be seen in the hoop dancer by both artists, which appears to be identical.
Marcel Bouraine was a life long friend of Max Le Verrier and Pierre Le Faguays who all studied together at the Beaux Arts in Geneva. Later the Le Verrier foundry was to produce many of the Bouraine statues for him. Bouraine used two pseudonyms which were Derenne and Briand.