Night
Statuette
ca. 1860-1870 (made)
ca. 1860-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (1824-27) is probably best known as a sculptor of small-scale bronzes and terracotta sculptures which were conceived from the outset as compositions to be replicated in considerable numbers. This is an example, where the terracotta was cast in a mould which had been created to reproduce the statuette a number of times. However, as frequently with Carrier-Belleuse's work, the clay was then worked on while it was wet, before firing, to give it the appearance of having been freshly modelled. Assistants were used in his studio to carry out some of the work, notably Rodin at the start of his career. Small statuettes such as these would have been intended for the steadily growing middle-class market and their reproduction was commercially successful in this context.
By depicting Night as an allegorical female figure, Carrier-Belleuse was following a long tradition. But most earlier examples are modestly covered in drapery. The implicit eroticism of this particular work would have been acceptable in a private context.
By depicting Night as an allegorical female figure, Carrier-Belleuse was following a long tradition. But most earlier examples are modestly covered in drapery. The implicit eroticism of this particular work would have been acceptable in a private context.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Night |
Materials and techniques | Terracotta, cast and modelled |
Brief description | Terracotta statuette of 'Night', by Carrier-Belleuse, France, about 1860-70 |
Physical description | Terracotta statuette of Night depicted as an allegorical standing nude female figure, holding a baby close to her upper chest and neck with her right arm, her head against the head of the baby. Her left arm is held above her head and supports a long length of drapery which hangs down behind her back, is gathered up by her right arm (under the baby) and then falls to the ground. |
Dimensions |
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Gallery label | Label for 'American and European Art and Design 1800-1900', Gallery 101, de-canted March 2017:
'11
Terracotta Figure: 'Night'
About 1870
Carrier-Belleuse's cast terracottas reflect a taste for the medium that dates back to the 1770s. Although made in moulds, his figures were carefully worked over before being fired. This makes them appear freshly modelled, unlike similar figures in biscuit (unglazed) porcelain. By representing Night as a sem-nude female figure, Carrier-Belleuse was following a tradition going back to Michelangelo.
France,Paris; by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Terracotta, cast
Museum no. A.13-1968'(09/06/2017) |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (1824-27) is probably best known as a sculptor of small-scale bronzes and terracotta sculptures which were conceived from the outset as compositions to be replicated in considerable numbers. This is an example, where the terracotta was cast in a mould which had been created to reproduce the statuette a number of times. However, as frequently with Carrier-Belleuse's work, the clay was then worked on while it was wet, before firing, to give it the appearance of having been freshly modelled. Assistants were used in his studio to carry out some of the work, notably Rodin at the start of his career. Small statuettes such as these would have been intended for the steadily growing middle-class market and their reproduction was commercially successful in this context. By depicting Night as an allegorical female figure, Carrier-Belleuse was following a long tradition. But most earlier examples are modestly covered in drapery. The implicit eroticism of this particular work would have been acceptable in a private context. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | A.13-1968 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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