Du Bois was a student of Eugène Simonis and Charles van der Stappen. He studied at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels and earned the distinguished Prix Godecharle in 1884. Du Bois also contributed to the renewal of artistic expression in Belgium at the end of the 20th century, and was one of the founders of the art group Les XX. His own eclectic work consists of small sculptures, medals, jewelry, fine art sculpture, public monuments, and tombs.

The modern clothing and the casual position adopted by the model of this sculpture may induce us into qualifying it as a part of the movement of realism in art, which appeared at the end of the 19th century. Realist artists wanted to go against the academic art which only considered antique models and "noble" themes, to represent every-day life. Many realist works carry a strong social aspect and denunciate the poor condition of the lower classes of society.