John L. Sullivan & James J. Corbett, American Painted in Color Boxer Sculptures, Boston Strong Boy by Arthur Waagen, c.1895, Set of 2

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Arthur waagen
memel 1833 – 1898 paris

john l. Sullivan vs. James j. Corbett

two painted metal sculptures, ca. 1895
… Read more Arthur waagen
memel 1833 – 1898 paris

john l. Sullivan vs. James j. Corbett

two painted metal sculptures, ca. 1895
height with black wooden base: 69/67 x 33.5 x 19.3 cm
each signed on the base
some minor paint chips (see photos)
extremely rare in this color scheme


arthur waagen is considered one of the most interesting sculptors of the late 19th century. Originally from memel in east prussia—now klaipėda in lithuania—the artist settled in paris at a young age, where he spent most of his life. There he developed into a recognized exponent of french-influenced animal and genre sculpture and exhibited regularly at the paris salon between 1861 and 1887. His studio was located on the cours de vincennes, a major hub for artists and artisans at the time.
arthur waagen’s work lies at the intersection of academic naturalism and the so-called “animalier” tradition—a style of sculpture that was extraordinarily popular in the 19th century and was dedicated to the lifelike depiction of animals. In addition to dogs, horses, and hunting scenes, waagen created numerous orientalist compositions, the most famous of which is the monumental bronze *kabyle au retour de la chasse* (“kabyle returning from the hunt”). This impressive group sculpture depicts a north african horseman with his dogs and his hunted game and ranks among the most significant orientalist bronzes of its time. The model was cast in several sizes and gained international popularity; examples are now found in major collections and rarely appear on the art market.

while waagen achieved fame primarily as an animal sculptor, he occasionally devoted himself to the depiction of human figures as well. Particularly noteworthy are his sculptures of the two heavyweight boxers john l. Sullivan and james j. Corbett, which refer to the historic world championship bout of september 7, 1892, in new orleans. This bout marked a turning point in the history of boxing: james j. Corbett defeated the previously nearly invincible john l. Sullivan after 21 rounds, thereby ushering in a new era of modern boxing.

waagen took up this event just a few years later and created two individual figures of the opponents. The sculptures depict the boxers in a combative stance, but not in dramatic motion. Rather, the artist focuses on the psychological tension immediately before the fight. Sullivan appears powerful, broad-shouldered, and imbued with nearly unshakable self-confidence. Corbett, on the other hand, appears more elegant and athletic; his posture conveys agility, concentration, and tactical superiority. In this way, waagen succeeds in creating a nuanced characterization of the two athletes without resorting to exaggerated gestures.

noteworthy is the combination of a realistic portrayal of the figures and a classical formal language. This iconographic fusion elevates modern boxing to the status of a heroic contest, comparable to the battles of antiquity. Contemporary sport thus appears not merely as entertainment, but as an expression of courage, strength, and personal honor.

the sculptural execution attests to waage’s extraordinary technical skill. The anatomy of the bodies is carefully modeled without succumbing to an exaggerated cult of muscle. Particularly compelling are the finely rendered facial features, which convey determination and inner tension. The boxers’ attire corresponds exactly to the fashion of the early 1890s, featuring long boxing trunks. Some versions were executed in multiple colors or partially gilded, lending the figures a stately character.

from an art-historical perspective, the boxer sculptures hold special significance. They are among the earliest european sculptures dedicated to a modern sporting event. While 19th-century sculpture dealt predominantly with mythological, historical, or allegorical themes, waagen depicts two contemporary athletes whose fame was based on real athletic achievements. In doing so, he anticipates developments that did not become widespread until the early 20th century with the increasing popularity of sports sculpture.

the choice of these two boxers in particular also highlights waagen’s keen sense of current social issues. The sullivan vs. Corbett bout was one of the most widely watched sporting events of its time worldwide and was extensively documented by the international press. Waagen’s sculptures therefore combine artistic quality with significant documentary value. They are not only works of art but also testimonies to early sports history.

today, waagen’s boxer figures are among his rarest works. They appear only occasionally on the international art market and command considerable prices due to their rarity and historical background. They hold exceptional appeal for collectors of sports memorabilia as well as for lovers of french salon sculpture. At the same time, they impressively document the versatility of an artist who was far more than just an animal sculptor.

arthur waagen left behind an extensive body of work ranging from finely modeled animal depictions to monumental hunting scenes and historical and athletic figures. His boxer sculptures occupy a special place within this body of work. They combine naturalistic precision, academic form, and contemporary relevance into a compelling artistic statement. Precisely because waagen rarely addressed modern sports themes, these sculptures are today among the most remarkable examples of european sports sculpture from the late 19th century and, at the same time, stand as an extraordinary tribute to the legendary heavyweight boxers john l. Sullivan and james j. Corbett. This piece has an attribution mark,
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