Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux

art market, Paris, early 20th century
the Canto collection, Milan
thence by descent to Dottore Bruno Canto, Milan
presented to his daughter upon her marriage, 1948
and thence in the family by descent to the present owner

Overall the condition of the bronze is good with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is a patch of greening to the drapery in the middle of the bronze. There are some dark marks, including to the Grace with laurels' proper left breast, forearm and to the face and chest of the Grace with vine leaves in her hair. There are a number of slightly visible original casting joints, including to the Grace with laurels' proper right thigh and also at the ground around the Graces' feet. There is dust to the surface, particularly to the crevices. There are a few small nicks and scratches to the bronze, including to the Grace with laurels' proper right thigh. There are some areas of dryness to the patina, particularly to the centre of the bronze.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Les Trois Grâces is derived from Carpeaux's monumental sculpture La Danse, which was executed for the façade of the Opéra Garnier in Paris. On its unveiling in 1869, La Danse caused a public outcry for its apparent immorality. During the night of 27 August 1869, a bottle of ink was hurled at the sculpture, staining one of the dancers. The work is now considered among Carpeaux’s most accomplished masterpieces and is housed in the Musée d’Orsay, Paris (inv. no. RF 2884).

In 1873, Carpeaux returned to the themes of his notorious allegorical relief, and produced a group of individual decorative sculptures inspired by the model. These were to be successfully edited for the commercial market. Among these were Le Génie de la Danse, Le Faune and the present sculpture, Les Trois Grâces. Three Graces dance together, their hands entwined, and their beautiful nude bodies are represented in mid motion with feet lifted off the ground. Demonstrating his immense technical skill and scientific knowledge of the human body, Carpeaux has achieved a remarkable sense of dynamic movement and balance. The plaster model of Les Trois Grâces is in the Musée d’Orsay (inv. no. RF 2918).

RELATED LITERATURE
A. M. Wagner, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, sculptor of the Second Empire, New Haven/ London, 1986, pp. 209-256; M. Poletti and A. Richarme, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux. Sculpteur. Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre édité, Paris, 2003, p. 101, no. SE23