Following Pierre Julien. France, second half of the 19th century

After PIERRE JULIEN (Saint-Paulien, France, 1731 – Paris, 1804).
“Amalthea and Jupiter’s Goat.” France, second half of the 19th century.
Patinated bronze. Cast by F. Barbedienne. Marble pedestal.
Signed “Julien.” Bears the foundry’s signature and A. Collas’s mechanical stamp.
In good condition.
Measurements: 70 x 50 x 35 cm; 9 x 40.5 x 28 cm (base).

This sculpture reproduces one of the most famous compositions by Pierre Julien, a leading figure of French Neoclassicism. The original model, carved in marble between 1785 and 1787 on commission from Louis XVI, was intended for the Queen’s Dairy at the Château de Rambouillet, designed for Marie Antoinette. The work depicts the nymph Amalthea, Jupiter’s nurse, accompanied by the goat whose milk nourished the god during his childhood. The female figure is seated on a rocky outcrop, partially nude, with a gentle twist that lends a sense of naturalness to the composition. The delicate anatomical modeling is a hallmark of Julien, contrasting with the animal’s fur, the folds of the cloth, and the stony surfaces.

This edition was produced by the prestigious Parisian foundry of Ferdinand Barbedienne, one of the leading forces behind the dissemination of French sculpture during the 19th century. His collaboration with the engineer Achille Collas led to the development of an innovative mechanical reduction system that allowed monumental sculptures to be reproduced in various sizes while remaining faithful to the original model. The meticulous quality of the casting, the richness of the details, and the depth of the brown patina highlight the high technical standard achieved by this foundry.

Pierre Julien trained in the workshop of Guillaume II Coustou and won the Prix de Rome in 1765, subsequently completing his studies at the French Academy in Rome. A member of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture and a sculptor in the service of Louis XVI, he developed a body of work that combined classical tradition with a distinctive naturalistic sensibility. Among his major works are the commissions for Rambouillet and his sculptures of illustrious French figures. His work is represented in institutions such as the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Musée Crozatier in Le Puy-en-Velay.