This striking patinated bronze bust, likely cast in France in the late 19th century, depicts a tender and emotional moment: a young couple in a passionate embrace, delicately rendered with expressive intensity and sensuality. The sculpture captures not only physical closeness but emotional connection, making it a particularly moving example of Romantic-era bronze work.
The finely detailed modeling of the faces, hair, and drapery reflects the influence of 19th-century French academic sculpture, where technical precision was paired with emotional depth. The treatment of the hair—gently curled and crowned with floral garlands—along with the naturalistic folds of the garments, shows the hand of a highly skilled sculptor, possibly inspired by the works of Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux or Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse.
The bust rests on a turned and molded base, uniting the sculpture’s sensuous upper portion with a formal, classical support. The dark patina is even and rich, enhancing the light and shadow contrasts and emphasizing the sculptural depth.
This piece is both romantic and timeless, appealing to collectors of 19th-century sculpture and decorative bronzes. Its scale and emotional intensity make it an ideal focal point for an interior or art collection.