The Girl With The Broken Jug - Sorrow - Luca Madrassi

Luca Madrassi (1848-1919) – The Broken Jug, polychrome marble sculpture after Greuze, late 19th century This masterful work by Luca Madrassi, a renowned Franco-Italian sculptor, is a three-dimensional interpretation of the famous painting The Broken Jug by Jean-Baptiste Greuze. Created in the late 19th century, this polychrome marble sculpture is distinguished by its imposing height of 83 cm and the harmonious use of different marbles, giving the whole an exceptional visual richness. The young girl is depicted with remarkable delicacy, her face and arms sculpted in Carrara marble, famous for its immaculate whiteness, bringing a softness and purity to her melancholic expression. Her dress, with finely worked folds, is carved from warm-toned breccia marble, providing a striking contrast with the light complexion and adding textural depth to the composition. The pitcher, the central element of the story, is finely executed in yellow Siena marble, whose golden hues symbolize fragility and ephemerality. The round, notched base, also in marble, bears the inscription “CHAGRIN” in relief, accentuating the poignant emotion of the scene. A brass plaque affixed to the base mentions “La Cruche Cassée d'après Greuze”, attesting to the artistic lineage and the homage paid by Madrassi to the 18th-century master. Luca Madrassi, trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Pierre-Jules Cavelier and a collaborator of Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, knew how to integrate neoclassical and naturalist influences into his works. This sculpture is a perfect illustration of this, combining impeccable technical execution with touching emotional depth. This exceptional piece, combining technical virtuosity and artistic sensitivity, constitutes a choice acquisition for collectors and lovers of 19th century art.