Alfred Jean Foretay was born in Morges, Switzerland, on January 12, 1861. At the age of 16, he left the country for Paris where, in 1877, Foretay attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts.

A student of Falguières, Foretay obtained an honorable mention in 1891 and a gold medal in 1904 while attending the Paris Salons.

Fifteen years later, Alfred Foretay married. After successful contact with several masters of French sculpture and painting, he decided to return home with his wife and daughter. Foretay left a legacy of remarkable sculptures that are highly collectible.

Alfred Jean Foretay passed away in 1944.