Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse and Auguste Rodin (1824 Anizy-le-Château/Aisne - 1887 Sèvres and 1840 Paris - 1917 Meudon respectively) "L'Innocence tourmentée par l'amour". Original title Terracotta. Signed "A. CARRIER-BELLEUSE". In this light and elegantly designed, characteristic group of figures, the female figure symbolises innocence, while the cupids pressing against her symbolise love. The group was so successful that it was executed in numerous examples in a wide variety of materials - terracotta, porcelain, bronze and marble. Carrier-Belleuse was one of the most important, creative and thematically versatile sculptors of the era of Emperor Napoleon III and the Belle Époque. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and made his debut at the Salon as early as 1851. Many of his works were purchased by Napoleon III, whom he portrayed as well as other personalities of his time. In 1864, he took Auguste Rodin into his studio in Paris, who assisted him in the production of numerous terracotta sculptures. All works modelled by Rodin during this period were inscribed with the master's name in accordance with standard workshop practice. The model was probably created in Brussels in the spring of 1871, when Carrier-Belleuse had to move his workshop from Paris to Belgium due to the Franco-Prussian War. In the "Catalogue de l'Oeuvre Sculpté d'Auguste Rodin" currently being prepared by Jérôme Le Blay and François Lorenceau, "L'Innocence tourmentée par l'amour" is included as a work by Rodin. Two wings glued. Total h. 69 cm. Provenance: Dissolution of an important German private collection - part II. Terracotta. Signed "A. CARRIER-BELLEUISE". Wooden base. Two wings glued.