1870s Nude Sculptures

The Lily by Auguste CLESINGER (1814-1883) Outstanding bust sculpted in white Carrara marble Signed on the ribbon " J. Clésinger, 1871 " Presented on a rounded white marble base France 1871 height 76,5 cm width 48 cm depth 35 cm Noted in "Clésinger – Sa vie, ses œuvres - Le catalogue de ses œuvres", A. Estignard, Librairie H. Floury, Paris, 1900, p.169. Biography : Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clésinger, known as Auguste Clésinger (1814-1883), was a French romantic sculptor. His father, Georges-Philippe Clésinger, himself a sculptor, trained him at the School of Fine Arts in Besançon where he was a teacher. Auguste also studied sculpture under the direction of Bertel Thorwaldsen...

Cigale (Cicada) by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Bronze sculpture with nuanced dark brown patina signed "A. Carrier-Belleuse" old edition cast France circa 1870 heigh...

Diana with an arrow by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Bronze sculpture with a dual light and dark brown patina signed on the base "Carrier-Belleuse" inscribed on a front plaque "Diane à la Flèche par Carrier-Belleuse (Sculptr)" France circa 1870 height 83 cm arrow added probably in the 20th c. 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...

"Caress of Love" by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Bronze group sculpture with a nuanced dark brown patina Signed on the back "A. Carrier-Belleuse" Reposing on its orig...