Jean Baptiste Carpaux

Background

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux was the son of a mason, and passed his early life in extreme poverty. He was born at Valenciennes, France, on the 11th of May 1827.

Career

In 1842 Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux came to Paris, and after working for two years in a drawing-school, was admitted to the Ecole des Beaux- Arts on the 9th of September 1854.

The Grand Prix de Rome was awarded to his statue of " Hector bearing in his arms his son Astyanax. "

At Rome he was fascinated by Donatello, and yet more influenced by Michelangelo, to whom he owes his feeling for vehement and passionate action.

He sent from Rome a bust, " La Palombella, " 1856; and a " Neapolitan Fisherman, " 1858.

This work was again exhibited in thb Salon bf 1859, and took a second-class medal; but it was not executed in marble till 1863.

In his last year in Rome he sent home a dramatic group, " Ugolino and his Sons, " and exhibited at the same time a " Bust of Princess Mathilde. "

Benedetti " showed that he was not idle.

He was working at the same time on the decorations of the Pavilion de Flore, of which the pediment alone was seen at the Salon, though the bas-relief below is an even better example of his style.

His group, representing " Dancing, " 1869, was greeted with indignant protests; it is nevertheless a sound work, full of movement, with no fault but that of exceeding the limitations prescribed.

During the Commune he came to England, and made a " Bust of Gounod " in 1871.

His last important work was a fountain, the " Four Quarters of the World, " in which the globe is sustained by four female figures personifying Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

This fountain is now in the Avenue de l'Observatoire in Paris.

Achievements

• In 1866, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux was awarded the chevalier of the Legion of Honour. His last important work was a fountain, the " Four Quarters of the World, " in which the globe is sustained by four female figures personifying Europe, Asia, Africa and America.
  
  This fountain is now in the Avenue de l'Observatoire in Paris.