The Butterfly Lady | Art Nouveau Bronze by Auguste Louis Moreau

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.

~Irish Blessing

Artist name: Moreau, Auguste Louis Mathurin
Sex: m
Artist occupation: sculptor, painter
State: France
Place of birth: Dijon
Date of birth: 1834
Place of death: Malesherbes
Date of death: 1917
First cited: 1872
Last cited: 1913
Place(s) cited: Dijon Paris

The third son of sculptor and painter Jean Baptiste Moreau, Moreau initiated himself to sculpture along with his older brother Mathurin. In 1861, he made his debut at the Salon, where he would exhibit regularly until 1913. His subjects were primarily genre scenes, pastorals, and allegories; his style was realistic and graceful, revealing his relation to the other embers of the Moreau dynasty. The similitude of names sometimes provokes confusion in the attribution of certain works signed without first initials.

Auguste Moreau was the youngest brother of three celebrated French sculptors. With his two brothers Mathurin and Hyppolyte-François, he learned sculpture under their father Jean-Baptiste as well as at the unavoidable école des beaux arts in Paris. He had two sons, also sculptors, Louis-Auguste and Hyppolyte. Thus making a celebrated dynasty of French sculptors creating thousands of models that can now be found in museums throughout the world. The present sensual group allegorical of dusk or night is believe to have been first created by his older brother Mathurin.

Born in Dijon in the early 19th century, he studied under Mathurin Moreau. Auguste Moreau worked as a sculptor and specialised in figures, statuettes and groups, mainly in marble. He made his debut at the 1861 Salon in Paris and continued to play an active part in the Salon des Artistes Francais as a member of the Societe des Artistes Francais until 1910.

Bronze sculptures by Auguste Moreau are prime examples of the Art Nouveau style. He worked in France during the turn of the century. Moreau was a student of Mathurin Moreau and regularly exhibited his bronze sculptures in the Parisian Salons.

Moreau s bronze sculptures, such as Vici with a Bow, have inspired other sculptures to create in a similar style, such as with our Jeune Femme se Coiffant.

Thank you to Squidoo for awarding a Purple Star to The Butterfly Lady.

Isn't she lovely? The Purple Star accents her glamorous good looks!

I'm sure that The Butterfly Lady appreciates all her admirers, especially the secret one who nominated her for Purple Star honors.

When I go downtown in Sarasota, I stop by to see The Butterfly Lady. I have a feeling that she brings good luck. Next time you're in town, stop by for a visit. Some of her butterfly dust may add a sparkle to your day, too!

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