ALBERT-ERNEST CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) The spring Bronze with brown patina Signed "A.CARRIER" on the reverse left (Some wear and scratches from use) The source, bronze with brown patina by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse HEIGHT. 45 CM - h. 17,71 in. terrace HEIGHT. 63 - WIDTH. 20 CM - H. 24,8 - W. 7,87 IN. on a wooden base 9,5 x 80 x 36 CM - 3,7 x 31,5 x 14,1 in. Related works - Group of Abundance, stone, façade of the Louvre Museum, Paris - Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, Enfant source, 1864, terracotta, H.41 x 70 CM, signed "A. Carrier. 1864", Düsseldorf, Ralph Gierhards collection; - Albert-Ernest Carrier Belleuse, Putti representing Earth and Water, 1865, terracotta, Cleveland, The Cleveland museum of Art, inv. 1986.67. Related literature - June Ellen Hargrove, Gilles Grandjean, Carrier-Belleuse, Le Maître de Rodin, cat. exp., Compiègne, Palais de Compiègne, 22 May-27 October 2014, Paris, RMN, 2014, model listed under no. cat. 85, p. 125 ; - June Ellen Hargrove, The life and work of Carrier-Belleuse, Garland Pub, 1977, pl. 148. This charming group of putti surrounding a vase from which water is flowing is directly inspired by a relief on the façade of the Palais du Louvre illustrating Abundance. In the 1860s, Carrier Belleuse devoted himself to creating small groups of children frolicking happily, in the spirit of Clodion and the terracottists of the 18th century. These small-scale decorative groups were a great success and were distributed by his studio in all materials.