Albert Ernest Carrier Belleuse

ALBERT ERNEST CARRIER BELLEUSE (France, 1824 - 1887).
"Pyché".
Patinated and partially gilded bronze.
Presents foundry stamp "Oudin/Marseille".
Signed.
Measurements: 74 x 33 x 34 cm.
This bronze sculpture by Carrier Belleuse is an exceptional model of the artist's documented production. Conceived as a refined interpretation of classical mythological iconography, without abandoning the aesthetics of French Second Empire statuary. Psyche, which represents a refined mythological theme: the goddess appears metamorphosed into a winged young woman of extraordinary beauty, at the moment when she lights an oil lamp to unveil the mysteries of love. It should be noted that the sculpture is presented here in its larger version. As an indicative market reference, at least two similar models are known to have been estimated at auction houses such as Drouot and Sotheby's.
Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse was one of the most prolific and influential sculptors of his time and achieved remarkable success during the Second Empire, with the personal support of Napoleon III. His work was a true renewal of French classical sculpture, thanks to an extraordinary capacity for stylistic synthesis that combines the neoclassical tradition with romanticism and subtle orientalist evocations. In 1864 he was Auguste Rodin's teacher, a relationship that shows the high technical and artistic level of Carrier-Belleuse, famous for his virtuosity in the handling of the chisel. His influence on Rodin-especially his admiration for 18th century art-is clearly perceptible in the young sculptor's early works, such as The Girl with the Flowered Hat.
The most emblematic collaboration between Carrier-Belleuse and Rodin is undoubtedly the Pedestal of the Titans, a copy of which can be seen today in the Rodin Museum in Paris. Conceived by Carrier-Belleuse and executed by Rodin, it was signed only with the name of the master, in accordance with the usual practices of the time. In 1882, Rodin made a terracotta bust of Carrier-Belleuse, presented that same year at the Salon; the original is now preserved at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University. Rodin worked with Carrier-Belleuse between 1864 and 1870, a decisive period for his artistic training.
For his part, Eugène Cornu (1827-1899), a prominent French bronze artist, began his career as a designer and workshop director for Maison Tahan, before becoming the creator and director of G. Viot's Compagnie des Marbres et Onyx d'Algérie. The company distinguished itself by the production of decorative works of great luxury. Numerous Cornu creations were presented at the Universal Exhibitions in London (1862, 1871 and 1872) and in Paris in 1867, where he won a gold medal for an important pair of vases (Official Catalogue of the Exhibition, group III, class t. III, group III, class XV, chapter II, § 2, pp. 45-46).