Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse French, 1824-1887

Overall the condition of the terracotta is very good. There are a few firing cracks. There is very minor surface dirt and a few chips consistent with age. There is a small reapired break to the reeds on the reverse.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

L'Odine is the heroine of Friederich de la Motte-Fouque's fairy romance.  She is a water nymph who transforms into the child of a fisherman and later marries a knight.  Carrier-Belleuse's model of L'Odine was blatently inspired by Houdon's terracotta Diana (Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg) and despite the sculpture's nudity it exhibits a modesty relative to many other of his depictions of nymphs.  He exhibited L'Odine at the Salon of 1864.  Hargrove explains that the iconography of a woman amongst the rushes came about as Carrier was working on the sculptural programme for the facade of the Casino at Vicy, which included a relief called La Source depicting a nymph emerging from reeds. 

RELATED LITERATURE
Lami, vol. 1, pp. 279, 283; Hargrove, pp. 47-8, pl. 9