Charmeuse De Panthères Albert-ernest Carrier-belleuse (1824–1887)

Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (1824–1887) France, second half of the 19th century This refined sculptural ensemble, Charmeuse de Panthères, is the work of Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, one of the most influential French sculptors of the 19th century. The composition depicts an elegant female figure seated on a red marble column, gently yet firmly controlling two panthers with a slender, gilt vine. The subtle interplay between grace and restraint is characteristic of Carrier-Belleuse’s oeuvre and reflects the refined aesthetic of the Second Empire. The sculpture is executed in dark patinated bronze with finely applied gilt highlights. It is mounted on a richly veined red marble pedestal, which enhances the monumentality of the composition and creates a harmonious balance between sculpture and base. The original plaque bears the title Charmeuse de Panthères and the inscription par Carrier-Belleuse (Hors-Concours), indicating a prestigious presentation outside competition and underscoring the artist’s established status. Carrier-Belleuse exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon and enjoyed international acclaim for his ability to unite academic precision with decorative elegance and sensual refinement. He also played a significant role as a mentor to younger artists, most notably Auguste Rodin, who worked in his studio during the 1860s. A work of high artistic quality, Charmeuse de Panthères stands as a representative example of French 19th-century sculpture, combining technical mastery with expressive sophistication. Dimensions Height: 74 cm