Terracotta After Falconet Two Loves Fighting Over A Heart

Terracotta group signed on the Falconet terrace, representing two winged loves fighting over a heart. Piece in very good condition, no accident, beautiful patina. Height 43 cm, length of the terrace 26 cm. Etienne Maurice Falconet was born in Paris in 1716 into a modest family. Having learned the framework, he first realizes some woodcarvings which are noticed by the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne (1704-1778), who makes him his pupil. Having thus been able to develop his gifts, Falconet received several commissions from Madame de Pompadour and entered the Academy of Fine Arts in 1754, thanks to his "Milon de Crotone". His success at the Salons of 1755 and 1757 made him the most prominent sculptor of his time. He was appointed director of the Sèvres porcelain factory and produced, at Diderot's request, the article "Sculpture" of the Encyclopedia. His most important work is the equestrian statue of Peter I that he left to build in 1771 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The realization of this monumental work will take him twelve years. On his return to France, Falconet was appointed rector of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture and continued to produce other masterpieces such as Moses and David, for Saint-Roch church, in Paris, Pygmalion, Alexandre , Winter, Melancholy…. Falconet was influenced by the Baroque school, but is regarded in some ways as a neoclassical sculptor. Some works: - Music (Louvre Museum, Paris, 1740), - Milon de Crotone (Louvre Museum, Paris, 1754), - The Annunciation (Saint-Roch church, Paris, work that disappeared during the Revolution, 1756) , - Menacing love (marble, Louvre Museum, Paris, 1757), - Christ on the Mount of Olives (Saint-Roch church, Paris. 1757), - Baigneuse (Louvre Museum, Paris, between 1757 and 1760) , - Pygmalion seeing his statue Galatée come alive (Musée national de Céramique de Sèvres, 1774), - La Mélancolie (Sèvres biscuit, 1774), - Flore (Louvre Museum, Paris, between 1750 and 1775), - Tomb of Abbot Terray (Sainte-Marguerite chapel in La Motte-Tilly church, Aube, 1780), - Equestrian statue of Peter I, known as "The Bronze Horseman" (Saint Petersburg, 1782).