Charles Laurent-Daragon

CHARLES LAURENT-DARAGON (Paris, 1833- 1904).
"Juventa".
Marble.
Signed and titled on the base.
Measurements: 120 x 76 x 70 cm.

Masterpiece of the French sculptor Charles Laurent-Daragon, a brilliant figure of the artistic scene of the late nineteenth century. The artist left samples of a prodigious talent, particularly in the treatment of the marble, material that dominates with extraordinary technical sensibility.

With dimensions close to life size, "Juventa" is an allegorical personification of puberty. The figure, depicted half-kneeling on a circular base, displays a dynamic and elegant composition, articulated by a subtle twist and a delicate inclination of the head that bring lyricism and naturalness to the whole. In one hand she holds a small bouquet, a traditional symbol of ephemeral freshness, reinforcing the allegorical character of the work.

The piece is in the French academic tradition, but also reveals a sensibility close to Symbolism in its introspective and slightly melancholic atmosphere. Laurent-Daragon's technical mastery is evident in the refined transition of textures: from the almost epidermal softness of the skin to the meticulous treatment of the hair and the ornamental base. The carefully polished white marble enhances the luminosity of the figure and elevates the concept of youth to an ideal, eternal and timeless dimension.

Charles Laurent-Daragon was a pupil of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. He exhibited at the Salon from 1863 to 1903. He lived for some time in Rome, at the Villa Medici. He invented a bronze casting process, which earned him a silver medal at the Universal Exposition of 1889 and a diploma of honor in 1890. In 1892 he received an honorary mention.