In the studio of the painter Joseph-Bernard Artigue (1859-1936); given to his executor at his death, then in the same family in the South of France.

Autour d'Henri Martin: les chemins du post-impressionisme, musée du Pays du Vaurais, 2017, pp. 46-49, ill. p. 47.

P. Ruffié, Autour d'Henri Martin: les chemins du post-impressionisme, exh. cat. Musée Municipal du Pays Vaurais à Lavaur, 2017, Escourbiac, pp. 46-49, ill. p. 47.

The plaster is in overall good condition with some surface dirt and a few minor chips at several places along the edges and to the high points. The original polychromy and gilding appear to have been refreshed at several places, in particular the red colour of her hair, the gilding of the helmet , earrings and aureole, as well as the carnation appear to have been refreshed. The heads of the two birds appear to have been restored and repainted. The top center edge of the relief appears to have been reinforced where the hook is attached. Very rare and interesting plaster with a good provenance.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

At the Fine Arts School of Toulouse, Rivière met the painter Henri Martin and the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. Although exhibiting in Paris, in the Salon des Artistes Français, he remained faithful to his home town and regularly exhibited busts, medallions and allegorical figures at the Société de l'Union des Artistes. Influential figure of the avant-garde in Toulouse, he received several official commissions, amongst them a portrait of Lavoisier for the new Faculty of Science. His relief of Tolosa in Gloria for the "Salle des Illustres", expresses his artistic intimacy with Henri Martin. His work is a perfect mixt of Symbolism, Art Nouveau and Post-Impressionism, including decorative arts and the use of many materials notably polychrome terracotta, ceramic and tin or silver.
An iconic theme of Rivière, Théodora embodies the perfect balance between painting and sculpture. Henri Marre and Joseph Artigue, Rivière's friends and leaders of the Post-Impressionism movment in Toulouse, both had a version of Théodora in their studio.