336
Large terracotta figure of Bacchus and a young woman, 19th century
Height x width x depth: 67 x 30 x 16 cm.
impressive terracotta sculpture signed “L. Carrière-Belleuse” at the base (Louis-Robert Carrière-Belleuse), depicting Bacchus and a beautiful female figure in an elegant composition inspired by Offrande à Bacchus (Offering to Bacchus), the celebrated 1868 work by the artist’s father, Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse.
The scene pays homage to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, agriculture, and fertility — a symbol of joy, sensuality, and abundance, as well as a patron of the arts, theatre, and the pleasures of life.
Louis-Robert Carrière-Belleuse, son of Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse and Louise Anne Adnot, and brother of the painter Pierre Carrier-Belleuse, was initially trained by his father, from whom he inherited both technical mastery and refined compositional style.
He continued his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Gustave Boulanger and Alexandre Cabanel, later collaborating with his father at the Sèvres Manufactory, where he was appointed artistic director in 1875.
In 1877, he began an important collaboration with Théodore Deck, deepening his knowledge of ceramic techniques, and participated in the Sèvres competition in 1882. He also designed models for the Faïencerie of Choisy-le-Roi, becoming its artistic director in 1889.
His career was marked by major honors, including a painting award at the 1881 Salon and a sculpture prize at the 1889 Salon.
This refined terracotta composition, remarkable for both its craftsmanship and expressive power, exemplifies the harmonious blend of paternal artistic heritage and Louis-Robert Carrière-Belleuse’s personal sensibility, making it an outstanding example of late 19th-century French decorative sculpture.
The scene pays homage to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, agriculture, and fertility — a symbol of joy, sensuality, and abundance, as well as a patron of the arts, theatre, and the pleasures of life.
Louis-Robert Carrière-Belleuse, son of Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse and Louise Anne Adnot, and brother of the painter Pierre Carrier-Belleuse, was initially trained by his father, from whom he inherited both technical mastery and refined compositional style.
He continued his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Gustave Boulanger and Alexandre Cabanel, later collaborating with his father at the Sèvres Manufactory, where he was appointed artistic director in 1875.
In 1877, he began an important collaboration with Théodore Deck, deepening his knowledge of ceramic techniques, and participated in the Sèvres competition in 1882. He also designed models for the Faïencerie of Choisy-le-Roi, becoming its artistic director in 1889.
His career was marked by major honors, including a painting award at the 1881 Salon and a sculpture prize at the 1889 Salon.
This refined terracotta composition, remarkable for both its craftsmanship and expressive power, exemplifies the harmonious blend of paternal artistic heritage and Louis-Robert Carrière-Belleuse’s personal sensibility, making it an outstanding example of late 19th-century French decorative sculpture.
Literature:
Pierre Kjellberg, Les bronzes du XIXe siècle – Dictionnaire des sculpteurs (19th-Century Bronzes – Dictionary of Sculptors), Éditions de l'Amateur, 1987
Pierre Kjellberg, Les bronzes du XIXe siècle – Dictionnaire des sculpteurs (19th-Century Bronzes – Dictionary of Sculptors), Éditions de l'Amateur, 1987
– Contains detailed entries on Carrier-Belleuse with photos and signatures.
Howard P. Vincent, Rodin, Oxford University Press, 1957
– Explores the relationship between Rodin and Carrier-Belleuse, master and collaborator.
Geneviève Bresc-Bautier, French Sculpture: Renaissance and Modern Times, Louvre éditions
– Discusses the context of French sculpture in which Carrier-Belleuse worked.
Guillaume Peigné*, *Dictionary of French Neo-Baroque Sculptors (1830–1910)*, CTHS, 2012
– In-depth study of the Neo-Baroque, with a chapter dedicated to the artist.
J. Palardy*, articles in *The Connoisseur* and *The Burlington Magazine*
– Analysis of works in terracotta and bronze, with attributions and signatures.
€ 2.500,00 / 3.000,00
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Live auction 361
ANCIENT FURNITURE AND WORKS OF ART FROM 16th TO 20th CENTURY Including selected furnishings from the Count Luigi Rigi Luperti Collection
Palazzo Caetani Lovatelli, thu 11 December 2025
SINGLE SESSION 11/12/2025 Hours 15:00
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