Eugène-Antoine Aizelin

EUGÈNE-ANTOINE AIZELIN (Paris, 1821 - 1902).
"Bust of a lady".1871
Sculpture in marble.
Signed on the right side.
Measurements: 51 x 30 x 21 cm.

Elegant marble bust of the sculptor Eugène-Antoine Aizelin, a leading figure of the academic sculpture of the nineteenth century, which develops an idealized female model of clear classical inspiration. The work stands out for the harmony of its proportions, the serenity of the expression and the delicacy of the modeling, especially visible in the treatment of the face and in the careful execution of the hairstyle, of great volumetric richness.

The drapery, elegantly arranged on the torso, shows a solid academic mastery, bringing dynamism and balance to the composition. This type of busts, halfway between the ideal portrait and the classical evocation, were particularly appreciated in the second half of the 19th century for their formal refinement and decorative value.

Eugène-Antoine Aizelin entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1844, where he was a pupil of Jules Ramey and Auguste Dumont. From 1852 he participated regularly in the Paris Salon, consolidating his career over several decades and obtaining various distinctions, including medals in the Salons of 1859 and 1861, as well as prizes at the Universal Exhibitions.

He achieved special recognition with the gold medal at the Universal Exhibition of 1889 for his work Mignon. He received important official commissions in Paris, working for institutions such as the Opéra Garnier, the Louvre and the City Hall. He was made a knight of the Legion of Honor in 1867 and an officer in 1892, and his work is preserved in prominent public collections.