Pierre Fix-Masseau

The Secret

circa 1895

A very fine bronze equestrian sculpture with a nuanced dark greenish brown patina France model of 1845 Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne around 1890-1900 height 37,3 cm length of the base 31,5 cm Marked with a souvenir date "22 mai 1904". Biography : Antoine-Louis Barye (1796-1875) was a French sculptor, known for his animal sculptures. His sketch practice done in the wild, according to the animals of the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, led him gradually to also practice painting. Placed early in Fourier, an engraver on steel manufacturing metal parts for the uniforms of the Great Army, he learned all areas of metal processing and became a peerless worker. He entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1818, where he received classical training in the workshop of the sculptor François Joseph Bosio and the painter Antoine-Jean Gros. He graduated in 1820, the second prize for sculpture in Rome for his "Cain cursed by God" .It was in 1831 that Barye became known to the public exhibiting then his "Tiger devouring a Crocodile", tormented and expressive work, which ranked as soon as the first Romantic sculptor, and causing admiration criticism. He now produced numerous masterpieces, often of small dimensions, that will enrich the collections of fans...

Bronze sculpture with a nuanced dark brown patina signed on the base "A. Carrier" inscribed on a front plaque "Charmeuse de Serpents par Carrier-Belleuse" France circa 1860 height 80,5 cm Biography : Albert-Ernest Carrier de Belleuse known as Carrier-Belleuse (1824-1887) was one of the most prolific artists of the century and had the greatest successes under the Second Empire, enjoying the personal support of Napoleon III. His work was greatly influenced by the style of the Italian Renaissance and that of the 18th century, which he helped to bring up to date. In 1837, the young Carrier-Belleuse apprenticed in the workshop of the engraver Bauchery. He was admitted soon after to the goldsmith Jacques Henri Fauconnier. Through François Arago, he met the sculptor David d'Angers who facilitated his admission to the School of Fine Arts. Carrier-Belleuse entered it in 1840. Noted for his skill by the great bronze companies in Paris such as Barbedienne and Denière, he soon received numerous orders for models for candelabras, pendulums, fittings for fireplaces, etc. In 1848, probably at the initiative of François Arago, who became head of state, he received his first public order for a small statue of "Mademoiselle Rachel singing La Marseillaise". In 1851, he appeared for the first time at the Salon of French Artists, where he presented two bronze medallions. From 1851 to 1855, Carrier-Belleuse stayed in England, in Stoke-on-Trent where he served as director of the modeling and drawing school of the Minton house, a large porcelain manufacturer. Back in France, Carrier-Belleuse moved to Paris in a large workshop located 15 rue de la Tour d´Auvergne. From 1857, he made regular sendings to the Salon and became famous thanks to the success of large marbles, such as the "Bacchante" exhibited at the Salon in 1863, and acquired by Napoleon III, "Angelica" (1866) or even "Hebe asleep" (1869). At the Salon of 1867, his group entitled "Messiah" earned him the medal of honor of sculpture. It was acquired by the State to adorn the Chapel of the Virgin in the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul church. Carrier-Belleuse acquired a great reputation in parallel for his terracotta busts which, in many respects, recall those of 18th century artists. He made portraits of a large number of celebrities of his time. He produced, among others, the busts of Napoleon III, Renan, Thiers, Grévy, Arago, Marguerite Bellanger, Théophile Gautier, Honoré Daumier, Delacroix, Hortense Schneider, Réjane… He also modelled numerous busts of mythological inspiration and historical and artistic portraits like Marie Stuart, Shakespeare or even Mozart. Carrier-Belleuse used and trained in his workshop in the rue de la Tour d´Auvergne many young talented artists such as Alexandre Falguière, Jules Desbois...

Lion and snake n°3 by Antoine-Louis Barye (1796-1875) Bronze sculpture with a nuanced dark greenish brown patina signed "Barye" on the base old edition cast – probably from the Bary...

Laurent Belloni (né En 1969) Man's head Bronze cast with a nuanced black patina Signed "Belloni" on the foot Foundry mark "Susse fondeur Paris" numbered 1/8 France around 1996 hei...

Charles Cumberworth (1811-1852) Indian Huntress Bronze with double patina Vittoz chiseller Old cast France circa 1850 height 52 cm Biography: Charles Cumberworth (1811-1852), son...

Petite tête de l'Homme au nez cassé Small head of the Man with the broken nose by Auguste RODIN (1840-1917) Sketch for the Gates of Hell Variant with symmetric neck Bronze with blac...

Edition of 6.

Second Edition of 6 copies plus 3 Artist’s Proofs, realized in 1990 after the famous homonymous sculpture realized by Wildt in 1918/19. Authorized by Wildt's heirs, from the original...

A rare round relief cast, elaborate chiseled bronze/copper with brown patina by Jean François Marie Garnier (1820-1895). Cast c.1859-1864. Not signed. The motif is taken from Dantes...

Anita Birkenfeld, Bronze sculpture, figurative sculpture, soul, Garment, Israeli art, Israeli artist

Ceramic jar covered with engraved stucco. 78x35x35 cm Signature on the side

Ceramic jar covered with engraved stucco. 78x35x35 cm Signature on the side