Auguste Moreau (1834-1917)
was a famous sculptor of France.
He was born in 1834 in Paris. He was the son of Jean-Baptiste Moreau, a sculptor, who also worked as a painter and draughtsman. The artis was already taught by his father and was introduced by him in the craftwork of sculpture. We can assume that he continued his education at one of the popular art schools in the French capitol.
In his early life Auguste Moreau visited the "École des Beaux-Arts". Since 1968 this famous academy has been called "École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts". It was founded on April 20, 1797 as École spéciale de peinture, de sculpture et d`architecture" and was officially acknowledged by the French King Louis XVIII in 1819.
The life of Auguste Moreau
The most renowned schools is located in the district Saint-Germain-des-Prés and extends over an area of approximately 2 hectare. In the past there was the Augustinian monastery "couvent des Saints-Augustins" at this location. Even today its little chapel is preserved. The studies at the academy are always held in studios.
He knew probably not a few of the famous artists, who graduated at the "École des Beaux-Arts". Among them are Henri Matisse and the carver Georges Gimel.
Auguste Moreau even developed a special style of filigree figures during his further artistic training and development. His works were first exhibited in 1861; therefore he became very early well-known.
In the 19th century the French capitol was several times location of famous and great world`s fairs, at which also artists showed and presented their works. With the help of these exhibitions a lot of Moreau`s colleagues became famous and we can assume that the he himself knew them and associated with them.
Influences on his works
The first French world`s fair was held in 1855. For the first time there was a stage for the contemporary and modern artistic trends and a special pavilion, the "Palais des Beaux-Arts", was built for that. Additional world`s fairs took place in 1867, 1878 and 1889. For the reason of the fair in 1889 the famous Eiffel Tower was build. It still exists and became the international symbol of Paris.
The smaller world exhibition "Exposition internationale des Arts Décoratifs et industriels modernes" took place in 1925 and was dedicated to arts and crafts and industrial design. The exhibition became a great stage for the international avant-garde of the modern and fine arts and therefore the artistic trend Art deco is named after it.
Auguste Moreau surely had points of contact with the arts décoratifs, but he was more interested in the Art Nouveau. He became an important representative of this artistic trend that is marked by its floral motifs and ornaments, curved lines and the demand to melt life together with art.
Auguste Moreau worked in this style, designing filigree sculptures, figures and busts that seem very naturally and detailed. The extraordinary artist died in 1917.
In our shop you will find for example the famous "female bust", a figure of a young girl.