Jean Baptiste Carpeaux

Jean Baptiste Carpeaux was a French sculptor born on May 11, 1827, in Valenciennes, France, and he passed away on October 12, 1875, in Courbevoie, France. He was a prominent figure in the Second Empire style, which was characterized by its dynamic and expressive qualities, often seen as a precursor to the Impressionist movement. Carpeaux's work is noted for its emotional intensity and technical skill, with his most famous piece being "La Danse," a controversial and exuberant sculpture created for the facade of the Paris Opera. His career was marked by significant commissions, including the "Fountain of the Four Parts of the World" in the Luxembourg Gardens. Despite his relatively short life, Carpeaux's contributions to sculpture had a lasting impact on the trajectory of 19th-century French art, influencing subsequent generations of artists.