A French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period statue of Melodie, signed E. Picault

List: $29,800.00

A most impressive and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period patinated bronze and ormolu statue of Melodie, signed E. Picault. The statue is raised by a most decorative circular mottled base with an exceptional... — Read More

Item # 11314
H: 39.5 in L: 15 in D: 10 in
H: 100 cm L: 38 cm D: 25 cm
France
19th Century
Ormolu, Patinated Bronze
Belle Époque Period Read More, Louis XVI st. Read More

(Belle Époque Period) - Gaining its name from the optimistic and peaceful period of time between 1871 and World War I, Belle Epoque means “beautiful period”, and occurred during the era of the Third French Republic. This period of economic, colonial, and scientific prosperity brought with it a flourishing artistic climate with numerous literal, musical, theatrical, and visual masterpieces being created. The Eiffel Tower, which was constructed between 1887 and 1889, served as the entrance to the World’s Fair held in Paris. That same year, the Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris was founded and showcased the now more mainstream styles of performance including can-can dancing. Belle Epoque dancers and singers were Paris celebrities and became immortalized by the poster arts of Toulouse-Lautrec. Leading up to this period in 1865, the American Civil War was coming to a close, with France proposing to construct the Statue of Liberty as a joint effort with the United States. France would be responsible for the statue, with America constructing the pedestal. Created to celebrate the nation’s success in building a viable democracy, the statue would stand as a symbol of friendship between the French and American people.

(Louis XVI st.) - Also known as Louis Seize, Louis XVI's style is a style of architecture, furniture, decoration, and art created during Louis XVI’s 19-year reign in France, just before the French Revolution. Thought to be a reaction and juxtaposition to the prior more elaborate styles, Louis XVI style developed at the end of the Baroque Period and continued until the birth of French Neoclassicism. King Louis XVI showed little enthusiasm for the old world styles of the Baroque Period and he sought out a create a new “beau ideal” that focused on the purity and grandeur of Ancient Romans and Greeks. Inspired by Ancient Roman architecture and art, distinct features of the Louis XVI style are linear lines, small repeated motifs, floral medallions hanging from ribbons, acanthus leaves, urns, dolphins, ram, and lion heads, and griffins. Greco-Roman elements, often used in earlier and later French styles, were also quick common and included fluted and twisted columns, Caryathids, and corbels.

Émile Louis Picault Read More

Émile Louis Picault (1833-1915) was a renowned French Bronzier. Picault studied with Henri Royer and exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon between 1863 and 1914. Today, his works are held in the collections of the Troyes Museum in Paris and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Chambery. He was a prolific French Orientalist sculptor known for his bronzes depicting allegorical and mythological scenes. Picault often chose warriors and heroes as subjects.

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