Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux French, 1827-1875

This figure of Eve was modeled during Carpeaux 's short exile in London at the time of the fall of the Second Empire. It relates to other models on the theme of Eve which he worked on around the same time, including Eve après la faute and Eve tentée.  The present model, however, is certainly the most dramatic and intense and reflects best Carpeaux's emotions at that time.  Examples of this Eve chassée du Paradis are known in terracotta and bronze made from 1873 and posthumously.  Some casts in plaster are documented as having been made by Carpeaux’s heirs.  The wax seal on the present plaster is normally associated with objects included in the Carpeaux atelier sale of 1913/14, however, since this model is not listed in that sale it seems likely that the seal was used posthumously.

Related literature: Poletti & Richarme (2003), pp.160-161, no.ES8