Leda and the Swan, Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse | Mia

Leda and the Swan, Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse — Leda and the Swan, c. 1858
Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Terra cotta
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton 92.85.5
Not on View
Based upon a chalk drawing by the Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo (1475-1564), this terra cotta sculpture depicts Leda, the ancient Queen of Sparta, being seduced by the Greek god Zeus in the guise of a swan. Dating back to Greek mythology, Leda and the Swan offered artists an acceptable motif for erotic depiction. The French sculptor Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse chose this mythological subject to embody the sensuality of the reclining female form and evoke the artistic traditions of the great Renaissance masters.

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Carrier-Belleuse, Leda and the Swan (#842)

Details

Title: Leda and the Swan
Dated: c. 1858
Artist: Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Nationality: French
Artist Life: 1824–1887
Role: Artist
Gallery: Not on View
Department: Decorative Arts, Textiles and Sculpture
Dimension: 16 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. (41.9 x 54.6 x 21.6 cm)
Credit: Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton
Accession Number: 92.85.5
Medium: Terra cotta
Country: France
Century: 19th century
Rights: Public Domain
Classification: Sculpture
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Curator Approved: This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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