Antique 19th Century Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse Marble and Bronze Bust of Omphale

This late 19th Century bust was executed by French painter and sculptor Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse (1848–1913), son and pupil of renowned sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse. In addition to studying with his father, Louis-Robert trained at the École des Beaux-Arts under the instruction of Gustave Boulanger and Alexandre Cabanel.

Carrier-Belleuse exhibited at the 1870 Paris Salon and was awarded a Silver Medal at the Exposition Universelle, Paris in 1889. He later turned his focus to sculpture with a particular emphasis on portrait busts. The artist's works are held in the permanent collections of major museums including Paris' Musée d'Orsay and New York's Dahesh Museum of Art as well as in notable corporate and private collections.

This Carrier-Belleuse bust has been made in the form of Omphale, Queen of the kingdom of Lydia in Asia Minor. Omphale is the subject of Greek and Roman mythology and was married to Hercules, son of Zeus. She is depicted wearing the skin of the Nemean Lion, slain by Hercules in the first of his 12 famous Labours. The lion's cast bronze pelt is worn as a mantle draped over Omphale's head and shoulders, creating a dramatic visual juxtaposition with the white marble bust. The piece is supported by a variegated green marble socle on a bronze base. As she artwork has been signed beneath the left-hand corner of the bronze mantle.

The bust measures 10.5" tall and 6.5" at it's widest. It weighs 10lbs 3oz. The piece is in very good antique condition.

A fine example well suited to a collection of works by Carrier-Belleuse or to a wider assembly of Continental sculpture.