Pierre de Leonardi.

PIERRE DE LEONARDI (1860–1940).
Untitled,
Marble.
Signed.
Measurements: 43 x 40 x 14 cm; 47 cm (height including base).

Pierre de Leonardi was a prominent French sculptor active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is widely recognized for his romantic and naturalistic depictions of childhood, themes of motherhood, and pastoral motifs. He worked primarily with classic materials of the period, such as terre cuite (fired clay or terracotta), marble, and bronze. His works are typically characterized by soft, rounded forms, meticulous attention to texture (such as hair or animal fur), and gestures full of naturalness and emotion. His sculptural groups of putti (cherubs) playing or interacting with animals in rural settings (for example, children playing with a goat) are a recurring theme. He also created pieces inspired by classical antiquity, such as his well-known sculpture *Diane allongée* (Reclining Diana).