A nicely detailed Bronze Sculpture of a woman with flowers representing Venus at her Bath, signed Math (Mathurin) Moreau (French 1822-1912) and Hors Concours. Brown patina, and on a built-in rotating base. France, c.1860
27” tall
Mathurin Moreau (1822-1912) was a French sculptor, known for his decorative sculptures. He was the son of the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Moreau, and was admitted to the École des Beaux-arts in Paris in 1841 where he studied under Jules Ramey and Auguste Dumont. He won the second place Prix de Rome in 1842 with his sculpture of “Diomède enlevant le Palladium” (Diomedes Stealing the Palladium). Mathurin Moreau made his debut at the French Artists Salon in 1848 and was noticed by his statue “L’Élégie” (The Elegy). He earned a second place medal at the Universal Exposition in 1855 in Paris, and then a first place medal in 1878. In 1897, during the last time he perticipated in the Salon, he was given a Medal of Honor. Between 1849 and 1879, Moreau collaborated with the foundry at Val d’Osne and became one of its administrators. He also provided models for the Compagnie des Bronzes of Brussels. He was promoted to Knight of the Legion of Honnor in 1865 and was made an officer in 1885. His photograph portrait is currently conserved at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.