EUGENE LAURENT French, 1832-1898 The Revelation of Joan of Arc Bronze with a brown or dark patina Alternative titles: "The Spinner" (La Bergère Fileuse or La Fileuse), or simply "A Young Maid." Signed at base. Height: 27 inches $400-600
ARTIST PROFILE: Eugène Laurent (1832–1898) was a distinguished French sculptor whose career was defined by his mastery of classical subjects and high-profile public commissions. After studying under the direction of Théodore Coinchon, Laurent made his debut at the Paris Salon in 1861, becoming a frequent exhibitor there until 1893. He earned widespread acclaim for his refined portrait busts of celebrities and his ability to capture historical figures with classical elegance. His reputation as a premier sculptor of the era led to the creation of significant public monuments, most notably the statue of Jacques Callot in Nancy and the figure of François Boucher displayed at the Paris City Hall. Today, Laurent is remembered as a quintessential figure of 19th-century French academic art, celebrated for the technical precision and prestige that characterized his long and successful career.
