Alfred Boucher is recognized by many as having "created some of the most sensual carvings of women during the final decades of the 19th century". The abundance and diversity of his collection of works created in plaster, bronze, and marble include portraits of artists and personalities, as well as some figures of workers. Boucher began his artistic training under Marius Ramus at Nogent-Sur-Seine before entering Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1869. There, he continued his studied under the direction of Paul Dubois and Antoine Dumont. Although he did not win the Prix de Rome, Boucher traveled independently to Rome and Florence, from where he sent his first few entries to the Salon. At his Salon debut in 1874, Boucher's talent was immediately rewarded with a third place medal.