74 - Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827–1875)

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827–1875) Unarmed Love Model created in 1869–1870; cast by Hébrard in 1919 and 1935; this cast was made in 1930 Bronze with a nuanced reddish-brown patina Signed “JBte Carpeaux” Bears the foundry’s stamp “CIRE / PERDUE / A.A. HEBRARD” and the number “(8)” H. 81 cm, on a sea-green marble base H. 3.7 cm For this sketch of *L’amour désarmé* (Unarmed Love), also titled *Psyché désarmant l’Amour* (Psyche Disarming Love), Carpeaux used the famous Opera dancer Eugénie Fiocre as his model. In 1869, following a dinner at the Duke of Morny’s residence, Carpeaux created this marble bust, which he exhibited at the 1870 Salon. At the request of the “Sylphide”—the nickname given to the illustrious ballerina—Carpeaux created a full-length figure depicting her as Psyche, a role she successfully performed in the ballet of the same name. Although the marble sculpture was ultimately never completed, Carpeaux produced a terracotta edition of the sketch during his lifetime. While a more polished version of the group was produced by the sculptor’s studio, the posthumous edition of the sketch by Hébrard met with greater enthusiasm. Related literature: -Michel Poletti, Alain Richarme, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Sculptor: A Catalog Raisonné of Published Works, Paris, Les Expressions contemporaines, 2003; model listed under no. ES 2, p. 153.