French Classical Bronze After Auguste Moreau Purity With Grace The Spring C1900

After Auguste Moreau — La Source (The Spring), c. 1900
A Finely Cast French School Art Nouveau Bronze
An Allegory of Purity and Flowing Grace
This refined, unsigned French School Art Nouveau bronze, cast circa 1900 after Auguste Moreau (1834–1917), beautifully captures the Belle Époque’s devotion to sensual form, elegance, and natural rhythm.
La Source portrays a nude young woman modestly turning her head as she gathers a flowing drapery that encircles her like a stream. The sculpture’s soft modeling and fluid motion evoke the calm purity of a natural spring — the symbolic source of life and renewal.
Finished in a warm brown-green patina with golden undertones and resting on its original black marble base, this bronze measures 43 cm (17 in) in height and weighs 4.7 kg (10.4 lb) — a fine balance of scale, presence, and craftsmanship.
Artistic Context
This work is firmly rooted in the French School (École Française) of the late 19th century, the height of Parisian Art Nouveau. Sculptors such as Auguste Moreau, Désiré Debut, and Louis-Ernest Barrias redefined allegory through form and movement, blending classical poise with modern naturalism.
The theme of La Source (“The Spring”), inspired by Ingres’s 1856 painting, became a symbol of purity, feminine grace, and harmony with nature.
This bronze reflects Moreau’s influence through its graceful anatomy, lyrical drapery, and romantic expressiveness — hallmarks of leading foundries of the period such as Société des Bronzes de Paris and Siot-Decauville, known for their superior lost-wax casting techniques.
Details
Artist: After Auguste Moreau (French School, 1834–1917)
Title: La Source (The Source)
Medium: Bronze with warm brown-green patina on black marble base
Dimensions: 43 cm H × 12.5 cm W × 11 cm D (widest point of figure 14.5 cm)
Weight: 4.7 kg (10.4 lb)
Signature: Unsigned (typical of foundry casts of this model)
Origin: French School, Belle Époque period
Highlights
Timeless Elegance: A luminous portrayal of purity and feminine grace, epitomizing Belle Époque beauty.
Authentic Craftsmanship: Genuine period casting with exquisite chasing and harmonious proportions.
Natural Poetry: Drapery and form flow together like water — serene, sensual, and refined.
Collector Appeal: A sought-after subject after Moreau, ideal for curated interiors or sculpture collections.
Investment Quality: A true early 20th-century bronze with enduring artistic and decorative value.
Condition Report
The sculpture is in good original condition, consistent with age and careful private ownership.
The patina is deep and even — a warm brown-green hue with soft golden accents enhancing the sculptural depth.
There is gentle surface rubbing on high points of the arm and shoulder, revealing the natural bronze beneath — considered normal and desirable patina wear for period bronzes.
Minor casting pores and small surface flecks are visible under close inspection, typical of early 20th-century foundry work.
The black marble base shows light wear and small chips consistent with age. No cracks or repairs are noted. Overall, the piece retains its rich luster and sculptural integrity, presenting beautifully from all angles.
Shipping
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