Antique 25" French Bronze: "The Landsknecht" by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse

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Antique 25" French Bronze: "The Landsknecht" by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse

Own a masterpiece of 19th-century French Romanticism with this monumental patinated … Read more Antique 25" French Bronze: "The Landsknecht" by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse

Own a masterpiece of 19th-century French Romanticism with this monumental patinated bronze sculpture by the legendary Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (1824–1887). Executed circa 1860, this work—alternatively titled "The Landsknecht," "The Cavalier," or "A Royal Guardsman"—captures the formidable presence of a 16th-century German mercenary pike soldier.

The sculpture is a tour de force of casting detail. Carrier-Belleuse masterfully renders the soldier's intricate slashed regalia, the heavy folds of his cape, and his iconic broad-brimmed plumed hat. The figure’s confident, contrapposto stance and stoic facial expression reflect the artist’s deep study of Renaissance masters. Finished in a rich, multi-tonal dark chocolate patina, this sculpture offers a commanding architectural presence, perfect for a grand library, a formal entryway, or an executive collection.

About the Artist
Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse was one of the most prolific and influential French artists of the 19th century. A founding member of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, he served as the Artistic Director at the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres. However, he is perhaps best known to history as the primary mentor of Auguste Rodin, who worked as Carrier-Belleuse’s assistant for years. His works are held in the permanent collections of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Provenance
This sculpture was originally acquired from the prestigious Lahaina Galleries in Hawaii. It has been meticulously maintained in a private collection. A copy of the original purchase receipt will be provided to the buyer to certify its history and authenticity. The artist's signature, "A. Carrier," is clearly hand-incised in the casting base.

Dimensions
Height: 25”
Width: 12”
Depth: 11.5”
Weight: Substantial / Solid cast bronze

Condition
Excellent Antique Condition – This bronze has been exceptionally well-preserved. The original hand-applied patina is rich, warm, and intact, showing only the most graceful signs of age consistent with a mid-19th-century masterpiece. The cast is crisp, capturing every minute detail of the soldier's armor and weaponry.

A rare opportunity to acquire a signed, large-scale work by a master who shaped the course of modern sculpture. "The Landsknecht" is more than a decorative object; it is a blue-chip investment in a tangible piece of art history, ready to serve as the crown jewel of a sophisticated interior. See less