Carrara Marble Sculpture Signed Pradier

A 19th-century Carrara marble sculpture depicting a semi-nude woman, known as "Sensuality," an allegory of night, with a cherub at her feet holding a branch of flowers. This sculpture is currently mounted on a lamp base. The sculpture bears the signature: PRADIER. About: Jean-Jacques PRADIER – Sculptor and painter (1790–1852) Genevan – French. Jean-Jacques Pradier, known as James Pradier, born in Geneva on May 23, 1790, and died in Bougival on June 4, 1852, was a French sculptor and painter from Geneva, of Swiss origin according to other sources. Highly regarded during his lifetime, he was considered one of the greatest sculptors of his era, until his death during the Second Empire. His works have had a lasting impact. Childhood Born on May 23, 1790, he was the fourth child of a Genevan family descended from Protestant refugees from Languedoc. Pradier's father owned the Hôtel "L'Ecu de France," a small establishment in Geneva. Although they belonged to the lower middle class, the family was far from wealthy and could not afford to send their children to school. Jean-Jacques's father therefore decided to apprentice his sons as soon as they reached the age of majority (12-13 years old at the time). Pradier and his older brother, Charles-Simon Pradier, thus entered the workshop of Jean Détalla to learn the trade of watch engraver. The most talented apprentices were allowed to enroll in the public drawing school. Jean-Jacques and his brother enrolled there on April 11 and 23, 1804, respectively. Charles-Simon quickly demonstrated a talent for painting and, thanks to a grant from the Geneva municipality, decided to continue his studies in Paris. Dimensions: Sculpture height 66 cm – lamp stem height: 1 m Base 26 x 20 cm