The marble original of the Bather was exhibited in 1767 at the Salon of the Louvre. Louis XV presented it to Madame du Barry in 1772 who placed it in the Louveciennes castle gardens.
Allegrain was an important French sculptor, pupil and assistant of Jean Baptiste Pigalle. The Bather was replicated in bronze countless times by various foundries throughout the 19th century and beyond.
The fusion proposed here presents high level of the metal workmanship and splendid transparent patina with reddish tones. The quality suggests that the casting can be dated to the first half of the 19th century. The bronze is not signed.