Louis Ernest BARRIAS (Paris, 1841- Paris, 1905) Nature revealing itself to science Bronze with silver patina Signed 'E. Barrias' on the base Bears a 'P' on the base Bears the founder's mark and insert 'SUSSE FRERES EDITEURS PARIS' and 'Susse Fres Edtrs' on the base Total height: 73 cm (Worn patina) Nature unveilling herself in front of Science, bronze, silver patina, signed, by L.E.Barrias H. 28.74 in. Related works : Louis-Ernest Barrias, La Nature se dévoilant, 1899, statue in polychrome marble and onyx from Algeria, grey granite terrace, malachite scarab, lapis lazuli ribbon, H. 200 x W. 85 x D. 55 cm, Paris, Musée d'Orsay, inv. RF.1409 ; Louis-Ernest Barrias, La Nature se dévoilant devant la science, bronze statuette with double patina on sculpted marble, lapis lazuli inlay, H. 70 cm, Nice, Musée des beaux-arts Jules Chéret, inv. D 2008.1.1. When Ernest Barrias exhibited his monumental work in polychrome marble and Algerian onyx at the Salon, his career and reputation were already fully established. Barrias entered the École des Beaux-arts at the age of 16, in 1857, and won 1st prize in Rome in 1861, studying under Cavalier and then Jouffroy. In 1878, he won his first medal of honour at the Salon. In 1884, he became a member of the Institut and, in 1894, director of the sculpture workshop at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He was appointed Vice-President of the Académie des Beaux-arts in 1897. In 1889, the Faculty of Medicine in Bordeaux commissioned a white marble sculpture of 'La Nature se dévoilant' from him, along with a companion work of 'Science' from his former master Cavelier. In 1895, a second version was commissioned for the Great Staircase of the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, and was presented at the Salon of 1899 and at the Exposition Universelle of 1900. It is composed of various coloured materials, marble, onyx, malachite and lapis lazuli, making the work part of the innovative artistic vein of polychrome sculpture of the last fifty years or so. Following in the footsteps of Charles Cordier and Jean-Léon Gérôme, Barrias mastered the art of assembling coloured materials to create a vibrant decorative effect. Here, the allegorical figure is dressed in a drapery that leaves her bosom bare; her right arm is still half veiled, while her left arm is freed and sketches a slow, sensual movement of unveiling. In 1899, the Ministry of Public Education authorised the artist to produce the most luxurious reductions in various materials. These were immediately widely distributed. In fact, it was a bronze version of this work that the City of Paris decided to offer as a gift to the visiting King of Portugal in 1905. Our copy was published by the prestigious Susse Frères publishing house, probably between 1899 and 1910. Louis Ernest BARRIAS (Paris, 1841- Paris, 1905) Related works : Louis-Ernest Barrias, La Nature se dévoilant, 1899, statue in polychrome marble and onyx from Algeria, grey granite terrace, malachite scarab, lapis lazuli ribbon, H. 200 x W. 85 x D. 55 cm, Paris, Musée d'Orsay, inv. RF.1409 ; Louis-Ernest Barrias, La Nature se dévoilant devant la science, bronze statuette with double patina on sculpted marble, lapis lazuli inlay, H. 70 cm, Nice, Musée des beaux-arts Jules Chéret, inv. D 2008.1.1. When Ernest Barrias exhibited his monumental work in polychrome marble and Algerian onyx at the Salon, his career and reputation were already fully established. Barrias entered the École des Beaux-arts at the age of 16, in 1857, and won 1st prize in Rome in 1861, studying under Cavalier and then Jouffroy. In 1878, he won his first medal of honour at the Salon. In 1884, he became a member of the Institut and, in 1894, director of the sculpture workshop at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He was appointed Vice-President of the Académie des Beaux-arts in 1897. In 1889, the Faculty of Medicine in Bordeaux commissioned a white marble sculpture of 'La Nature se dévoilant' from him, along with a companion work of 'Science' from his former master Cavelier. In 1895, a second version was commissioned for the Great Staircase of the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, and was presented at the Salon of 1899 and at the Exposition Universelle of 1900. It is composed of various coloured materials, marble, onyx, malachite and lapis lazuli, making the work part of the innovative artistic vein of polychrome sculpture of the last fifty years. Following in the footsteps of Charles Cordier and Jean-Léon Gérôme, Barrias mastered the art of assembling coloured materials to create a vibrant decorative effect. Here, the allegorical figure is dressed in a drapery that leaves her bosom bare; her right arm is still half veiled, while her left arm is freed and sketches a slow, sensual movement of unveiling. In 1899, the Ministry of Public Education authorised the artist to produce the most luxurious reductions in various materials. These were immediately widely distributed. In fact, it was a bronze version of this work that the City of Paris decided to present as a gift to the visiting King of Portugal in 1905. Our copy was published by the prestigious Susse Frères publishing house, probably between 1899 and 1910.