AFTER ÉTIENNE-MAURICE FALCONET (1716–1791) “L’Amour menaçant” Late 19th century /...

AFTER ÉTIENNE-MAURICE FALCONET (1716–1791) “L’Amour menaçant” Late 19th century / ca. 1900, marble, fully rounded. Inscribed on the back of the plinth: Falconet. The winged boy Cupid sits in the nude on what appears to be an artificial rock pedestal, his upper body leaning slightly forward. He mischievously holds the index finger of his right hand to his lips to silence the viewer, while with his left hand he is about to draw an arrow from the quiver behind him. The base is decorated with delicate floral reliefs (rose motifs). The sculpture is a high-quality and richly detailed reproduction of Falconet’s world-famous masterpiece, which he created on commission from Madame de Pompadour for the gardens of the Hôtel d’Évreux (now the Élysée Palace) and which is now housed in the Musée du Louvre in Paris. The motif of the mischievous god of love, warning the viewer, was one of the most popular subjects among the European aristocracy and the upper middle class in the 18th and 19th centuries. Height: approx. 60 cm. In good condition for its age, with slight discoloration typical of the material and minimal wear on the curls of hair. One toe on the left foot shows minimal chipping.