Object Description
This is a gorgeous large French bronze sculpture of a maiden playing a lute, by Albert Ernst Carrier – Belleuse, C1860 in date.
The sculpture features a graceful maiden dressed in a classical flowing costume decorated with foliate and floral ornamentation. The attention to detail here is remarkable, this statue has a wonderful golden bronze patina, it is raised on a square stepped base with a flowering rose in high relief and it is signed to the left side of the base.
There is no mistaking the unique design and quality of this gorgeous bronze figure. It is sure to receive the maximum amount of attention wherever it is placed.
This high quality antique hot cast solid bronze was produced using the traditional “lost wax” process, otherwise known as the “cire perdue” method.
Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 59 x Width 25 x Depth 20
Dimensions in inches:
Height 23.2 x Width 9.8 x Depth 7.9
Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
(born Albert-Ernest Carrier de Belleuse; 12 June 1824 – 4 June 1887) was a French sculptor. He was one of the founding members of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, and was made an officer of the Legion of Honour.
Carrier-Belleuse was born on 12 June 1824 at Anizy-le-Ch teau, Aisne, France. He began his training as a goldsmith’s apprentice. Carrier-Belleuse was a student of David d’Angers and briefly studied at the École des Beaux-Arts. His career is distinguished by his versatility and his work outside France: in England between 1850 and 1855 (working for Mintons), and in Brussels around 1871. His name is perhaps best known because Auguste Rodin worked as his assistant between 1864 and 1870. The two travelled to Brussels in 1871, and by some accounts Rodin assisted Carrier-Belleuse’s architectural sculpture for the Brussels Stock Exchange.
Carrier-Belleuse made many terra cotta pieces, the most famous of which may be The Abduction of Hippodameia depicting the Greek mythological scene of a centaur kidnapping Hippodameia on her wedding day. He was made artistic director at the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres in 1876.
In 1862 Carrier-Belleuse was one of the founding members of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, and was made an officer of the Légion d’honneur. The bronzes he executed prior to 1868 were always signed “Carrier” or “E. Carrier”, but after 1868 his signature was changed to “Carrier-Belleuse”.
His work encompassed all manner of sculptural subjects and materials, and his naturalism incorporated a breadth of styles: unembellished Realism, neo-Baroque exuberance, and Rococo elegance.
Our reference: A1560