Albert-ernest Carrier-belleuse (1824-1887)

Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (1824-1887) Terracotta bust of Hortense Schneider Circa 1859 Signed Period: Academic Art Important terracotta bust of the famous singer Hortense Schneider, muse of Jacques Offenbach and emblematic figure of Second Empire Paris. The work is signed Carrier-Belleuse, a major 19th-century academic sculptor, protégé of Napoleon III and future teacher of Auguste Rodin. An extremely prolific artist, he distinguished himself by the virtuosity of his modeling and the expressive vivacity of his portraits. Hortense Schneider achieved international acclaim, notably in The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, receiving European sovereigns and Tsar Alexander II of Russia in her box. This bust perfectly illustrates the aesthetics of the Second Empire: controlled sensuality, sophisticated hairstyling, and an intense gaze. The terracotta has a beautiful, even, antique patina, highlighting the delicacy of the modeling. Signed work—a collector's piece linking art history and the history of performance. Books: Carrier-Belleuse: Rodin's Master, Grand Palais (Musée d'Orsay)