Hippolyte Moreau, Large Surprise Sculpture, Late 19th Century, Bronze

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Description

For this large bronze with a brown patina entitled "Surprise," Hippolyte Moreau captures a moment of emotion, where two young … Read more For this large bronze with a brown patina entitled "Surprise," Hippolyte Moreau captures a moment of emotion, where two young girls freeze before a tiny intruder: a lizard that, appearing at the edge of the pedestal, evokes in them a mixture of fear, astonishment, and restrained movement. The artist, a master of storytelling through gesture, transforms this seemingly insignificant scene into a vibrant tableau, brimming with spontaneity. The older of the two, slightly forward, embodies the protective reaction: her body leans forward, her arm extends as if to reassure her younger sister. Her delicately modeled face expresses this hesitation between curiosity and apprehension. Beside her, the younger girl clings to her, grasping her garment in an instinctive, almost childlike gesture that conveys the scene's freshness. The lizard, tiny yet decisive, becomes the narrative pivot of the composition. Moreau places it at their feet, advancing with an indifferent tranquility, contrasting with the girls' distress. This detail, sculpted with surprising precision, gives full meaning to the title: surprise, immediate emotion, a vivid and sincere reaction.
The terrace, rendered in a naturalistic style, evokes a small corner of nature where leaves, grasses, and irregularities in the ground reinforce the impression of a scene captured in a moment. The warm patina of the bronze, playing with the light, accentuates the volumes, the folds of the fabrics, and the delicate expressions, giving the whole an almost narrative presence.
The base features a cartouche on the front reading "Surprise by Hte Moreau, Medal at the Salon" and the artist's signature "Hip. Moreau" on the terrace.
with this work, Moreau captures not only a moment, but a feeling: that of childhood confronted with the unexpected, between gentle fear and wonder. A simple scene, but one made unforgettable by the finesse of the gesture and the poetry of the gaze.

Hippolyte Moreau (1832–1927) was a French sculptor from the renowned Moreau family of Dijon, a dynasty that left its mark on 19th-century decorative sculpture. A student of his father, Jean-Baptiste Moreau, and later of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he specialized in genre scenes, children's figures, and gentle allegories, characteristic of his style.

He exhibited regularly at the Salon from 1859 onward and collaborated with major Parisian foundries, ensuring the wide distribution of his works. His bronzes, prized for their grace, sensitivity, and meticulous finish, remain highly sought after today.

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Period: Second half of the 19th century

Very good condition

Dimensions:

Height: 60 cm
Width: 23 cm
Depth: 23 cm

Weight: 17.4 kg This piece has an attribution mark,
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