Bronze Alloy Sculpture, Signed L. Moreau, France, Late 19th Century

Moreau was born in Dijon in 1855, he studied with his father and also under Aimé Millet, Augustin Drumont and Jean Thomas. Moreau's style was realistic and graceful, revealing his relation to the other members of the Moreau dynasty. The similitude of names sometimes provokes confusion. Louis August Moreau was the son of Auguste Moreau and nephew to two other celebrated French sculptors Mathurin and Hyppolyte-François, he learned sculpture under their influence as well as at the école des beaux arts in Paris. He had a brother Hyppolyte who was also sculptors. Thus making a celebrated dynasty of French sculptors creating numerous models that can now be found in museums throughout the world. Bronze sculptures by Louis August Moreau are prime examples of the Art Nouveau style. He worked in France during the turn of the century and regularly exhibited his bronze sculptures. Moreau's bronze sculptures, such as Curiese, have inspired other sculptures to create in a similar style. (Haynes Fine Art)