Offered by Mora Antiques
“La Libellule” (also known as Nymphe Fluviale)
Patinated bronze sculpture, signed Math. Moreau on the base
Dimensions: H. 85 cm x W. 36 cm x D. 36 cm
Exhibited: Salon de Paris, 1873 – awarded Médaille d’Honneur
Provenance: Originally created for the Fountain of the Théâtre Français, Paris
Literature: Pierre Kjellberg, Les Bronzes du XIXe Siècle, Éditions de l’Amateur, Paris, 1989, p. 513
Mounted on a rotating base for full 360° appreciation.
A magnificent and rare example of 19th-century French bronze sculpture by acclaimed artist Mathurin Moreau, La Libellule captures the poetic elegance and technical refinement of the Belle Époque.
Depicting a river nymph delicately poised on a naturalistic base, this composition exudes both sensuality and serenity. The figure is rendered with exceptional anatomical precision, her graceful posture contrasted by the intricate foliage and the soft detail of the dragonfly she holds gently to her shoulder — a symbol of fleeting beauty and nature’s ephemeral grace.
Executed in a rich médaille patina, the bronze reveals the highest level of craftsmanship, likely cast by one of the prestigious Parisian foundries of the period. The sculpture bears Moreau’s signature and displays the hallmark fluidity and lyrical realism for which he is renowned.
The work is mounted on a discreet rotating base, allowing for effortless 360-degree viewing — a thoughtful enhancement that showcases the full sculptural quality and detailed finish from every angle.
Highly decorative and historically significant, this piece is not only a celebration of feminine beauty and mythological allegory, but also a museum-quality collector’s object from one of the leading figures of 19th-century French sculpture.
Delevery information :
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