After Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
(French, 1824-1887)

"Venus Desarmant l'Amour", fourth quarter 19th century

patinated bronze
cast signature and inscribed "Thiebaut Freres 32 Avenue de l'Opera Paris" along edges of self-base.
h. 32", w. 19", d. 17"

Other Notes: This gracefully composed figural group depicts a scene from Book X of Ovid's great narrative poem, Metamorphoses, wherein a playful and deviously mischievous Cupid accidentally pricks his mother Venus with one of his arrows, causing her to fall in love with Adonis. Venus, angered at having to experience the agonies of love, retaliates by disarming her son. Carrier-Belleuse, one of the most successful sculptors of his time, began his career as an apprentice to a goldsmith before briefly attending the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and the Petite Ecole. His elegant classical and mythological sculptures, often rendered in a rococo style, earned him the reputation as the heir to Clodion (1738-1814). Carrier-Belleuse was the artistic director at the Manufacture Nationale de Sevres, a founding member of the Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts, and was named an officer of the Legion d'Honneur in 1885.

In overall very good condition with scattered nicks, areas of abrading and surface scratches. Small area of oxidation at proper left hand. Soiling/accretions in more deeply modeled areas. All consistent with age, material and usage. Deep chocolate brown patina.