After Falconet, Two Cupids Disputing a Heart, Late 19th Century, Alabaster Sculpture

Details

Description

Carved from subtly translucent alabaster, this work, entitled Two Cupids Quarreling Over a Heart, belongs to the refined tradition of … Read more Carved from subtly translucent alabaster, this work, entitled Two Cupids Quarreling Over a Heart, belongs to the refined tradition of gallant compositions by Étienne-Maurice Falconet, virtuously reinterpreted by 19th-century Florentine workshops.
The two young lovers, closely drawn together, stand in a harmonious pose where their gestures intertwine without ever directly confronting each other. One, slightly inclined, reaches out towards the heart lying on the ground, which he tries to crush, while the other, in a restrained yet expressive gesture, seems to want to protect the fragile emblem of love. This subtle interaction, devoid of aggression, conveys a playful tension rather than a true conflict, in keeping with the graceful and amiable spirit of the Rococo repertoire.

The satiny softness of the alabaster enhances the youthful roundness of the faces, the delicacy of the curls, and the lightness of the wings, lending the scene a luminous poetry. Through the subtle balance of its composition and the delicacy of its modeling, this sculpture combines the spirit of Falconet with the decorative elegance characteristic of 19th-century Italian workshops, offering a tender and symbolic interpretation of the theme of contested love.

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Period: Second half of the 19th century

Overall in very good condition.
One finger has undergone an old restoration, executed with such discretion that it blends in harmoniously and in no way detracts from the overall impression of the work.
Dimensions:
Height: 45 cm
Width: 30 cm
Depth: 25 cm
Weight: 17.4 kg See less