Carrier-belleuse & Eugène Cornu Important Bronze Of “psyche”

Large 19th century Neoclassical bronze sculpture signed A. CARRIER (Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse 1824-1887) and E. CORNU boulevard desItaliens n°24 (Eugène Cornu 1827-1899). Rare listed model entitled "Psyche" depicting a mythological subject featuring the goddess metamorphosed into a very pretty young winged woman lighting an oil lamp in order to unravel the mysteries of love (Psyche is a character from Apuleius' novel -The Metamorphoses - allegory of the soul). Good condition and beautiful patina, dimensions: 82 cm high X 33 cm wide X 26 cm deep. Note that the sculpture is offered here in its largest version, to add as an example two similar models estimated respectively at Drouot and Sotheby's between 12,000-13,000 euros (see documents). Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse was one of the most prolific artists of his century and enjoyed the greatest success during the Second Empire, benefiting from the personal support of Napoleon III. He gave new life to classical French sculpture, as demonstrated here by his ability to adapt, capable of mixing neoclassical tradition, romanticism and the scent of orientalism. In 1864 he was the Master of Auguste Rodin, which shows the mastery of Carrier-Belleuse who wielded the chisel with virtuosity, the influence of Carrier-Belleuse on Rodin - it is his taste, in particular, for art from the 18th century — which is particularly noticeable in Rodin's early works such as the Young Girl with the Flowered Hat. The most emblematic work resulting from Carrier-Belleuse's collaboration with Rodin is undoubtedly the Piedestal of the Titans, a copy of which can be seen in Paris at the Rodin museum, designed by Carrier-Belleuse and executed by Rodin but signed with the name only of the master according to the custom of the time. Rodin created a terracotta bust of Carrier-Belleuse in 1882, which he exhibited at the Salon the same year and the original of which is today at Stanford at the Cantor Arts Center. Auguste Rodin will work alongside Carrier-Belleuse between 1864 and 1870. Eugène Cornu (1827-1899) French bronzier he first worked as a designer and directed work for Maison Tahan then he became the creator and director of the Company Algerian Marbles and Onyx from G. Viot. They executed decorative works of great luxury, a large number of Cornu's creations were presented at the Universal Exhibitions in London in 1862, 1871 1872 and in Paris in 1867 where he received a gold medal for an important pair of vases. Official Catalog of the Exhibition, group III, class t. III, group III, class XV, chapter II, § 2, p°45 & 46). Eugène Cornu also contributed to the works of Albert Carrier-Belleuse, Charles Cordier and Louis-Alfred Barrias. The stores were established in 1878 at 24, boulevard desItaliens, in Paris.