Jean-Baptiste CARPEAUX (1827-1875), Wounded Love, late 19th century

Jean-baptiste carpeaux (1827-1875), l'amour blessé, late 19th century plaster sculpture with pink patina representing a cupid sitting on a rock, his left arm bandaged, holding a quiver. In the summer of 1873, jean-baptiste carpeaux spent a vacation with his wife and son charles at alexandre dumas fils's near dieppe. This sculpture was inspired by his son, who during the train journey injured his arm, smiled at him despite his tears, like a weeping cupid. Executed in marble and exhibited at the salon the following year, the work was a great success with the public and critics, simultaneously praising the tragic expression and the exceptional quality of execution. Two additional marble replicas were made during the artist's lifetime. Dimensions: h 74 X w 52 cm X d 30 cm bibliography: michel poletti and alain richarme, jean-baptiste carpeaux sculptor, catalogue raisonné of the work published, paris, 2003.