Bust of Carmen, Early 20th Century, Alabaster

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A distinctive early 20th-century white alabaster sculpture with art nouveau veining, depicting the bust of a female figure identified by … Read more A distinctive early 20th-century white alabaster sculpture with art nouveau veining, depicting the bust of a female figure identified by an inscription on the back as carmen, the protagonist of bizet's opera. The woman wears a rich late-19th-century dress featuring a tight corset, puffed sleeves, a rose on her chest, and elegant and extravagant lace from neck to hair.

dimensions: l 48 x w 28 x h 65 cm

period: early 20th century

origin: italy

the opera carmen is one of georges bizet's most famous compositions, first performed in paris in 1875. The story, set in seville, tells the tragic tale of carmen, a free-spirited and passionate woman who works in a tobacco factory. Carmen seduces the soldier don josé, making him fall madly in love with her. Blinded by jealousy and unable to accept carmen's freedom, josé abandons his orderly life to follow her, but when she falls in love with the bullfighter escamillo, the drama culminates in tragedy. The opera is known for its sensual music and its themes of freedom, love, and destiny. Carmen is today considered an absolute masterpiece of the world operatic repertoire. See less