Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse

Overall the condition of the marble is good, with wear to the surface consistent with age. There is dirt throughout and the marble would benefit from a professional cleaning. There are naturally occurring inclusions to the marble, including to Venus's proper left arm and chin, and to the back and legs of Cupid. There are a few small abrasions to the marble including to Cupid's proper right foot and leg and to the edges of the rockwork at the bottom. There is some sticker marks to Venus's back. There are a few small losses to the proper left side of Venus's headdress.
"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."

'Carrier a été pendant bien longtemps l'infatigable artisan des élégances souriantes et des grâces mouvementées... Lorsque promenant sur l'argile sa main délicate, il y inscrit les morbidesses de la vie et les douces moiteurs de l'épiderme, il a pour nous, avec la nouveauté d'un parisianisme que le dernier siècle n'a point connu, le charme amoureux d'un Clodion recommencé'

'Carrier has, for a long while, been the indefatigable architect of smiling elegance and graceful motion... When caressing the clay with his delicate hand, he leaves traces of the melancholy of life and the sweet moistness of the skin, he represents for us, with his novel Parisian charm unknown to the last century, the loving charm of a new Clodion'

Paul Mantz, Préf., Vente après-décès de Carrier-Belleuse, 19-23 December 1887 (np)

Carrier-Belleuse revived the spirit of Clodion in his terracotta and marble groups with Venus and Cupid and bacchantes, rekindling interest in the Rococo style in the third quarter of the 19th century. The present model is inspired by a composition by Louis-Simon Boizot (1743-1809) for Sèvres, known from a photograph of a biscuit version held in the archives of the Cité de la Céramique, Sèvres (Hargrove, op. cit., p. 126, fig. 43). A terracotta version of the present model was exhibited in the recent exhibition Carrier-Belleuse. Le maïtre de Rodin (op. cit., no. 86). Hargrove and Grandjean date the model to circa 1868 (op. cit.).

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Hargrove and G. Grandjean, Carrier-Belleuse. Le maïtre de Rodin, exh. cat. Palais de Compiègne, Paris, 2014, pp. 124-126, no. 86, fig. 43