SUZANNE D'EUGENE ANTOINE AIZELIN (1821-1902)

Brown patina bronze representing Suzanne byEugène Antoine AIZELIN. "Suzanne au bain" is a biblical story of a young woman, Suzanne, who, observed taking a bath, refuses the dishonest proposals of two old men. In revenge, they accuse her of adultery and have her condemned to death. But the prophet Daniel intervenes, proves her innocence and has the old men condemned. The episode is found in chapter 13 of the book of Daniel.

This figure of a woman, draped in antique style, is a perfect example of the Neoclassical style that inspired sculptors until the end of the 19th century. Signed "Aizelin sculpteur" on the base. Publisher's mark Gautier et Albinet Paris. Stepped base in veined white Carrara marble. Circa: 1890

Documentation :

Eugène Aizelin (Paris, 1821-1902). A student of Ramey and Dumont at the École des Beaux-Arts in 1844, he exhibited regularly at the Salon from 1852 to 1897, and again at the Exposition Universelle in 1900. His biblical and mythological subjects, genre scenes, opera characters and effigies of saints include "Suzanne", which he exhibited at the 1897 Salon. Ferdinand Barbedienne published quite a few of his works in bronze, as did Gautier and Albinet, who published our "Suzanne". François Gautier founded his bronze workshop in 1850 and moved to 3 rue des Fossés-Montmartre in Paris. He was awarded a 1st class medal in 1855 for table tops, statues, art and furniture bronzes. He exhibited again in 1862 and shortly afterwards sold his firm to J. Albinet and G. Coulon, located at 4 rue de Choiseul in Paris, who specialized in bronze clocks and mantelpieces. In 1874, the two partners exhibited art and furniture bronzes, candelabras, clocks and statuettes in various styles.

Bibliography:

Pierre Kjellberg, Les bronzes du XIXe siècle. Dictionnaire des sculpteurs, Paris, les Éditions de l'Amateur, 1989, pp. 37-38;

Bernard Metman, La petite sculpture au XIXe s. Les éditeurs, Archives de l'Art français, 1989, t. XXX, pp. 184, 195.