Jean-Baptiste CARPEAUX (1827-1875) Crouching Flora Bronze... Lot 124

Jean-Baptiste CARPEAUX (1827-1875) Crouching Flora Bronze with golden-brown patina, signed on the terrace by the artist, by Susse Frères in Paris, bears a founder's stamp as well as a cartel of the médaille du travail "L'Union Incendie à Mr Armand POTTIER, chef de Division, 1885-1914". On marble base. Height. 42 cm. Worn patina. In 1861, Emperor Napoleon III appointed architect Hector Lefuel to rebuild the Pavillon de Flore in the Palais du Louvre. For the sculptural program of the facades, he chose Jules Cavelier and Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, who was awarded the design and execution of two important groups: La France Impériale, bringing light to the world and protecting science and agriculture, and Flore au milieu des génies du printemps et des jardins. Napoleon III, invited to see Carpeaux's group in situ, is said to have declared "C'est vraiment le triomphe de Flore", giving the work its current title. The work was much admired by the sculptor's contemporaries, and for some critics it was an absolute masterpiece, surpassing La Danse or Ugolin.