A Monumental French Patinated Bronze Statue of "The Triumph of Flora"

A french patinated bronze figural group of Flora in the sky with Putti and bountiful garlands of flowers. Cast from a model by Mathurin Moreau. Titled "The Triumph of Flora". 

The goddess of Flora first appeared in book IV of Ovid’s Fasti, in a poem which celebrated the Spring. She is said to be carried in a chariot pulled by three Putti which represent the the three months of Spring and the souls of flowers. She was first represented in Nicolas Poussin’s 17th Century painting titled “The Triumph of Flora” in 1627, meant to represent a celebration of Spring and resurrection, which now belongs to the Louvre.The story and goddess of Flora were popularized by Poussin and subsequently a plaque by of the scene was commissioned from Joseph Deschamps by Queen Marie Antoinette in the 1780’s. The original was lost in the French Revolution, but luckily the plaster cast remains. Another high relief plaque by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux of Flora and her Putti was commissioned by the Louvre museum in the 1860’s and completed in 1863. The museum pavilion she was placed in was subsequently named Pavillon de Flore (Pavilion of Flora), after the goddess of Springtime.

The base signed 'Math Moreau / Hors.concurs', stamped '190' and with a plaque on the base with the  'MEDAILLE D'HONNEUR' roundel. 

Artist: Mathurin Moreau (1822-1912) 

Date: Late 19th Century 

Artist Bio: 

Born in 1822 to a family of skilled sculptors and artists, the young Mathurin excelled at the medium early on in life, receiving countless high accolades throughout his life, Mathurin Moreau is undoubtably one of the most gifted artists of the 19th century. At 21 he received the second prize of Rome, which paved the way for his invitation to create a public monument for the 1855 world's fare. He created a fountain, so beloved it won a Gold Medal and seduced the city of Bordeaux, receiving the name f “Fountain of Tourny” just two years later. This impressive fountain today decorates the forecourt of the Quebec Parliament. In 1855, Queen Victoria was gifted a set of statues representing the four-season by Moreau, which still adorn the garden of Osborne House. Now famous for the fountain, Moreau's work became so beloved he went on to work with skilled craftsmen and guilds, such as goldsmith Christofle, to create home decor so cherished, it is now held by the musee d'orsay.

In 1877, he was commissioned to realize the caryatids on the eastern side of the Paris Opera, and in 1878 he sculpted Oceania for the Orsay Trainstation, which still adorns the forecourt of this building now converted into a museum. In 1897, he was crowned with a Medal of Honor at the Salon. Mathurin Moreau collected prizes for his work throughout his life( Salons of 1859, 1861 and 1863, as well as at the World’s Fairs of 1867, 1878 and 1889) and even went on to become the mayor of Paris' 19th arrondissement for 34 years, until his death in 1912.