Bronze Sculpture Of A Breastfeeding Mother, By Paul Dubois

Magnificent composition for this bronze sculpture with brown patina. Charity (such is the name of the work) is represented here in the form of a young woman breastfeeding infants. Her lowered gaze and her hands delicately supporting the children show all the tenderness of a mother.
At a time when Antiquity was the absolute reference, Paul Dubois instead drew on the Renaissance models that he admired in Italy. We recognize here the strong influence of Michelangelo in the treatment of the beautiful oval face and in the general composition with soft lines. On the other hand, the elegance of the figure and the naturalistic treatment of the characters are characteristic of the art of Paul Dubois.
Signed "P.DUBOIS" on the back, bears the inscription "F.BARBEDIENNE, Fondeur" as well as the Achille Collas stamp affixed since 1848 on the bronzes published by Barbedienne.
Superb condition, very well preserved patina.
France, around 1890.