MATHURIN MOREAU | NYMPH AT THE STREAM

This delicately carved marble is a characteristic work of Mathurin Moreau, a leading French sculptor who specialised in the representation of nymphs and female allegories.

Born in Dijon, Moreau came from a distinguished family of artists. He initially studied under his father, Jean Baptiste, before joining the École des beaux arts in Paris and entering an apprenticeship with Jules Ramey. In 1842 he was awarded the Second Prix de Rome, which was followed by numerous honours and awards throughout his career, including a first class medal at the Salon of 1859 and a gold medal at the World Exhibition in 1889.

Mathurin Moreau's younger brothers, Hippolyte and Auguste, also enjoyed success as sculptors. The Moreau family had contracts with major French foundries that allowed them to cast many of their models in bronze. Marbles by the Moreau brothers are, however, significantly rarer.