What defines 19th-century Art Nouveau bronze sculptures?

Art Nouveau bronzes feature flowing lines, organic curves, and nature-inspired themes that emerged across Europe in the late nineteenth century.

What materials and techniques were used to create this style of bronze sculpture?

Figures were cast in bronze alloy using the lost-wax or sand-casting method, followed by hand-chasing and the application of a patinated chemical finish.

How can an authentic Mathurin Moreau bronze be identified?

Authentic works typically display an incised artist signature, crisp casting detail around facial features, foundry stamps, and natural surface patination.

How should an Art Nouveau bronze figure be styled in a modern interior?

Position the sculpture on a marble-topped sideboard, a wooden mantlepiece, or a dark timber pedestal to highlight its silhouette against a neutral backdrop.

What are the best practices for cleaning and preserving antique bronze statues?

Remove dust regularly using a soft dry brush or microfibre cloth, and apply a light coating of clear microcrystalline wax annually to protect the original patina.

for sale €4,505 $4,890

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Art Nouveau Bronze

Antique Female Statue

French Art Nouveau Statue

Art Nouveau Maiden Sculpture

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19th Century Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture "The Spring" by Mathurin Moreau

Name: 19th Century Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture "The Spring" by Mathurin Moreau
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1223732
Price: 3850 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Hickmet Fine Arts

Description

A charming late 19th-century bronze study depicting an Art Nouveau beauty seated upon a tree stump, dressed in loosely fitted attire and drinking from a shell. The sculpture displays excellent hand-finished detail throughout, with a rich, well-preserved patina that enhances the subtle modelling of the figure. Elegantly composed and finely cast, the work is signed Math Moreau ,

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 55 cm

Diameter: 22 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

Circa: 1880

Materials: Bronze

Book Ref: Bronzes of the 19th Century by Pierre Kjellberg

Page No: 512

SKU: 9517

ABOUT

Moreau Family

The Moreau family sculptor dynasty begins with Jean Baptiste Moreau, who was born in Dijon, France at the end of the 18th century. Jean Baptiste had three sons who followed in his footsteps, they were Auguste, Mathurin and Hyppolyte-François. The legacy continued with Auguste’s sons, Louis Auguste and Hyppolyte Francois. Members of the Moreau family often studied at the famous École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

Mathurin Moreau

Mathurin Moreau was born in Dijon November 18, 1822 and later died in Paris aged 90 on Februrary 14th 1912. Mathurin was a French sculpture and was an expert at portraying feminine grace, Mathurin sculpted figures, genre scenes and allegories with an aimable and lighthearted realism. Pieces fitting this description dominated his extensive collection this description dominated his extensive collection of bronze works, to which should be added a number of official commissions. The son and a student of Jean-Baptiste Moreau, Mathurin entered Paris's Ecole des Beaux-Arts when he was nineteen years old, and studied there under the direction of Ramey and Dumont. He won the second prize of Rome in 1842 and showed his work for the first time at the Salon in 1848, where he obtained a number of distinctions. Around 1850, he worked for the foundry of Val d'Osne, creating a number of models for statues destined to be cast in iron. In later years he became one of that foundry's administrators.

Mathurin Moreau's work include some commemorative monuments, tombs, a number of statues and busts for personalities and some ornamental statues. He worked for the churches of Saint Augustine and of the Trinite, for the Opera, the pavilion of Marsan at the Louvre, the gare du Nord, one of the fountains of the Théatre Plaza, among others. His work also includes a large quantity of statues, statuettes and groups in pleasnt decorative themes, which were successful in their time.

Jollet & Cie was a prestigious Paris bronze foundry active in the 19th and early 20th centuries, known for its high-quality castings and artistic excellence. Founded in Paris in 1843, it became associated with the celebrated Maison Colin and worked closely with leading sculptors of the era, producing fine bronze decorative art and sculpture editions including works by Mathurin Moreau and Félix Charpentier. Pieces cast by Jollet & Cie often bear the foundry stamp

Physical Dimensions

Height

55cm (21.65")

Width

22cm (8.66")

Depth

22cm (8.66")

Declaration

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1223732

Dealers Internal Reference

9517

Dealers Notes

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Description

A charming late 19th-century bronze study depicting an Art Nouveau beauty seated upon a tree stump, dressed in loosely fitted attire and drinking from a shell.

“

The sculpture displays excellent hand-finished detail throughout, with a rich, well-preserved patina that enhances the subtle modelling of the figure.

Hickmet Fine Arts

Elegantly composed and finely cast, the work is signed Math Moreau ,

fig 1. A 19th-century dark bronze sculpture of a draped female figure seated on a rocky outcrop, mounted on a circular moulded base. — fig 1. 19th Century Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture "The Spring" by Mathurin Moreau

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 55 cm

Diameter: 22 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

Circa: 1880

fig 2. A 19th-century dark bronze sculpture of a draped female figure seated on a rocky outcrop, mounted on a circular moulded base. — fig 2. 19th Century Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture "The Spring" by Mathurin Moreau

Materials: Bronze

Book Ref: Bronzes of the 19th Century by Pierre Kjellberg

Page No: 512

SKU: 9517

fig 3. A 19th-century dark bronze sculpture of a draped female figure seated on a rocky outcrop, mounted on a circular moulded base. — fig 3. 19th Century Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture "The Spring" by Mathurin Moreau

ABOUT

Moreau Family

The Moreau family sculptor dynasty begins with Jean Baptiste Moreau, who was born in Dijon, France at the end of the 18th century. Jean Baptiste had three sons who followed in his footsteps, they were Auguste, Mathurin and Hyppolyte-François. The legacy continued with Auguste’s sons, Louis Auguste and Hyppolyte Francois. Members of the Moreau family often studied at the famous École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

fig 4. A 19th-century dark bronze sculpture of a draped female figure seated on a rocky outcrop, mounted on a circular moulded base. — fig 4. 19th Century Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture "The Spring" by Mathurin Moreau

Mathurin Moreau

Mathurin Moreau was born in Dijon November 18, 1822 and later died in Paris aged 90 on Februrary 14th 1912. Mathurin was a French sculpture and was an expert at portraying feminine grace, Mathurin sculpted figures, genre scenes and allegories with an aimable and lighthearted realism. Pieces fitting this description dominated his extensive collection this description dominated his extensive collection of bronze works, to which should be added a number of official commissions. The son and a student of Jean-Baptiste Moreau, Mathurin entered Paris's Ecole des Beaux-Arts when he was nineteen years old, and studied there under the direction of Ramey and Dumont. He won the second prize of Rome in 1842 and showed his work for the first time at the Salon in 1848, where he obtained a number of distinctions. Around 1850, he worked for the foundry of Val d'Osne, creating a number of models for statues destined to be cast in iron. In later years he became one of that foundry's administrators.

fig 5. A 19th-century dark bronze sculpture of a draped female figure seated on a rocky outcrop, mounted on a circular moulded base. — fig 5. 19th Century Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture "The Spring" by Mathurin Moreau

Mathurin Moreau's work include some commemorative monuments, tombs, a number of statues and busts for personalities and some ornamental statues. He worked for the churches of Saint Augustine and of the Trinite, for the Opera, the pavilion of Marsan at the Louvre, the gare du Nord, one of the fountains of the Théatre Plaza, among others. His work also includes a large quantity of statues, statuettes and groups in pleasnt decorative themes, which were successful in their time.

fig 6. A 19th-century dark bronze sculpture of a draped female figure seated on a rocky outcrop, mounted on a circular moulded base. — fig 6. 19th Century Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture "The Spring" by Mathurin Moreau

Jollet & Cie was a prestigious Paris bronze foundry active in the 19th and early 20th centuries, known for its high-quality castings and artistic excellence. Founded in Paris in 1843, it became associated with the celebrated Maison Colin and worked closely with leading sculptors of the era, producing fine bronze decorative art and sculpture editions including works by Mathurin Moreau and Félix Charpentier. Pieces cast by Jollet & Cie often bear the foundry stamp

Physical Dimensions

Height

55cm (21.65")

Width

22cm (8.66")

Depth

22cm (8.66")

Date of Manufacture

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1223732