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Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse French, 1824 - 1887
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
- Actresse Sophie-Alexandrine Croizette
- signed A. Carrier-Belleuse
- terracotta, patinated
- height 25 1/2 in.
- 65 cm
Provenance
Michael Hall Fine Arts, Inc., New York, 1977
Exhibited
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, on display from 1977, inv: M.77.32. Purchased with funds provided by Chandis Securities Company.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, June 1980- September 1980
Detroit Institute of Arts, October 1980- January 1981
Indianapolis Museum of Art, February 1981-April 1981
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, June 1981-August 1981
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, June 1980- September 1980
Detroit Institute of Arts, October 1980- January 1981
Indianapolis Museum of Art, February 1981-April 1981
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, June 1981-August 1981
Literature
Peter Fusco and Horst W. Janson, The Romantics to Rodin, exh. cat., Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1980, p. 168, no. 53, illustrated.
Horst W. Janson, 19th. Century Sculpture, New York, 1985, p. 139, illustrated
June Hargrove, The Life and Work of Albert Carrier-Belleuse, New York and London, 1977
Horst W. Janson, 19th. Century Sculpture, New York, 1985, p. 139, illustrated
June Hargrove, The Life and Work of Albert Carrier-Belleuse, New York and London, 1977
Condition
Terracotta in good condition with some areas of darkening due to surface dirt and wear. Right shoulder with some red paint to edge to restore a hairline age crack. Back of left shoulder also with an age crack running along hairline. Overall in good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
Sophie Croizette was born in Russia in 1847 to French parents. Her friend the celebrated actress Sarah Bernhardt described her as gay and talkative.
In 1868 Sophie joined the Comédie Française, becoming its 296th sociétaire in 1873. Her most successful role was that of Blanche in "Le Sphinx" by Ostave Feuillet in 1873. Sarah Bernhardt played the part of Berthe de Savigny and the public were divided between Croizettists and Bernhardtists. Bernhardt wrote that they were much amused by this in her memoir, as the two actresses remained on friendly terms. In 1873 Sophie played Suzanne in "Le Mariage de Figaro" next to Sarah who played Cherubin. In 1882 Sophie left the stage and three years later, in 1885, she married the rich banker J.S.A. Stern, the son of Antoine Stern who founded a bank in Frankfurt am Main. He had been her lover for a while and they already had a son, Michel.
Her sister Pauline married the painter Carolus Duran, who painted Sophie's portrait around the same time that she sat for Carrier-Belleuse. This fantasy bust brazenly depicts Sophie with bare breasts and her hair piled loosely on her head. Belleuse, captivated by her allure, made different editions with varying expressions and costumes. He sent the plaster bust to the Salon of 1874. Although scandalous this did not detract from Sophie's career, in fact this astonishing bust marks the emergence of Sophie most celebrated era.
In 1868 Sophie joined the Comédie Française, becoming its 296th sociétaire in 1873. Her most successful role was that of Blanche in "Le Sphinx" by Ostave Feuillet in 1873. Sarah Bernhardt played the part of Berthe de Savigny and the public were divided between Croizettists and Bernhardtists. Bernhardt wrote that they were much amused by this in her memoir, as the two actresses remained on friendly terms. In 1873 Sophie played Suzanne in "Le Mariage de Figaro" next to Sarah who played Cherubin. In 1882 Sophie left the stage and three years later, in 1885, she married the rich banker J.S.A. Stern, the son of Antoine Stern who founded a bank in Frankfurt am Main. He had been her lover for a while and they already had a son, Michel.
Her sister Pauline married the painter Carolus Duran, who painted Sophie's portrait around the same time that she sat for Carrier-Belleuse. This fantasy bust brazenly depicts Sophie with bare breasts and her hair piled loosely on her head. Belleuse, captivated by her allure, made different editions with varying expressions and costumes. He sent the plaster bust to the Salon of 1874. Although scandalous this did not detract from Sophie's career, in fact this astonishing bust marks the emergence of Sophie most celebrated era.