Patinated bronze antique bust of a young man by Dalou

Aimé-Jules Dalou was recognised during his own lifetime as one of the most brilliant sculptors of Second Empire and Belle Époque France. Dalou was born in Paris and was taught by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux and associated with artists such as Alphonse Legros and Henri Fantin-Latour during his early training. Dalou first exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1861, after which he became friends with Auguste Rodin, a highlight of his particularly distinguished career.

The present patinated bronze depicts a male portrait bust, the figure rendered with great vitality and naturalism. The bust is set atop a waisted griotte marble socle and is inscribed to the reverse ‘DALOU 1888’. The bust possibly represents the son of Dalou’s London agent, Angelo Cartioni.