Carrier-Belleuse, Albert

Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, born on June 12, 1824, in Anizy-le-Château, Aisne, France, would ultimately become an incredibly famous sculptor during his lifetime. He was a prolific and powerful force in the field of Romantic sculpture and would become highly influential on his peers and shaped the future through his students.

As a child, Carrier-Belleuse was brought to Paris where he learned both drawing and modeling as a youth. His foray into sculpture as a form of expression began at an early age during his apprenticeship at the age of thirteen to the ciseleur Beauchery and thereafter as an engraver under the renowned Parisian goldsmith Fauconnier. This initial phase of his career was crucial in shaping his meticulous approach to detail and surface finish, a trait that would later become a hallmark of his sculpture. These early days in Fauconnier's workshop brought a depth and life to the surface of his sculptures that allowed them to stand out both in terms of careful technical craftsmanship but also the development of nearly photographic realism he was able to express in his models. His talent was recognized by David d'Angers, who helped him gain admision to the prestigious Ecole des Beaux-Arts on April 1st of 1840. However, Carrier-Belleuse soon abandoned the official teaching there, finding himself at odds with the academic style and more inclined towards decorative art. He drew inspiration from 15th-century masters and was also influenced by Prudhon's style.

Carrier-Belleuse began his career by creating various works for the bronze trade. He first exhibited at the Salon in 1850, and the following year, he went to England, where he was called upon by the director of the Minton house, a porcelain manufacture in Staffordshire, Stoke-upon-Trent. There, he managed a drawing school and created numerous models that were reproduced in ceramic.

After returning to Paris in 1855, Carrier-Belleuse undertook several prestigious commissions. He worked on numerous decorative projects for significant Parisian landmarks such as the Louvre, the Hôtel de Ville, the Théâtre-Français, and the Palais de l'Industrie. He also created notable sculptures like the statue of Masséna in Nice, the statue of Dumas père in Villers-Cotterêts, and the monument of General San Martín in the cathedral of Buenos Aires. The Louvre houses his marble group of 'Hébé Asleep' from the Luxembourg Museum, and the Museum of Marseille holds his 'Abandoned Psyche', also in marble.

Carrier-Belleuse was one of the most prolific sculptors of his century, known for his wide array of works, including busts, small groups, statuettes, and larger sculptures. Edouard Lockroy, in 1865 (L'Artiste, 1865, p. 40), described him as a veritable sculpting machine, producing a vast quantity of works in diverse materials such as bronze, marble, plaster, and alabaster. He was praised for his delicate hand and the lifelike quality of his sculptures, drawing comparisons to Clodion. However, his rapid production and popularity also attracted criticism, as noted in the Journal des Goncourt.

One of the cherished contributions of Carrier-Belleuse's oeuvre is the extensive collection of busts he produced. These busts captured a wide array of figures from various walks of life, including artists, poets, musicians, writers, politicians, financiers, and merchants. These works were celebrated for their lifelike representation and ability to capture the essence of the subjects.

Carrier-Belleuse's contributions to the art world earned him the nickname "Clodion of the 19th Century," a comparison to the 18th-century sculptor Claude Michel, known as Clodion. This nickname, bestowed upon him by both his contemporaries and Napoleon III, highlighted his prominence and the high regard in which his work was held. His romantic sculptures were particularly admired during the Second Empire, leading to numerous commissions for public monuments. He was awarded medals in 1861, 1863, 1864, and the prestigious medal of honor in 1867. That same year, he was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honor, and later promoted to an officer in 1885.

In 1875, Carrier-Belleuse's interest in porcelain as a medium of expression led to the prestigious position as the director of Works of Art at the Sevres porcelain factory in Paris, a position he held until his death in Sèvres on June 4, 1887. During his tenure, many of his works were interpreted into painted scenes and figural groups.

In addition to his sculptural works, Carrier-Belleuse also played a significant role as a teacher. Among his notable students was Auguste Rodin, who would later rise to fame as one of the greatest sculptors of his time.