Mad Love

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827-1875)

Nationality : French

Date : Late 19th Century
Dimensions : 41 x 37 x 18,5 cm
Material : White Carrara marble
Signature : “JB Carpeaux”
Provenance : Part of a Belgian private collecion handed down over three generations.

This marble sculpture, titled Amour à la Folie (Mad Love), showcases Jean‑Baptiste Carpeaux’s full artistic mastery. It is one of nine independent fragments from the monumental ensemble La Danse (1868), created for the façade of the Palais Garnier in Paris.

In this piece, Carpeaux captures the vibrant emotion and dynamic movement that define his style. The work depicts a winged child—an allegory of love—holding a marotte aloft. This staff topped with a fool’s head symbolizes folly, creating a striking visual contrast between innocence and derision.

The child’s lively posture and finely crafted features reflect Carpeaux’s humanist sensibility. His ability to impart both tension and softness to stone is remarkable. The figure first appeared in an 1863 terracotta model of Flora and was later integrated into La Danse, one of the most daring sculptural ensembles of the 19th century. The original terracotta model (1867) now resides at the Musée d’Orsay (RF 2928). This rare marble version demonstrates the care and esteem afforded to the subject.

Carpeaux’s attention to detail is evident in the soft curls, delicate drapery, and mischievous smile—each rendered with technical excellence. The polished marble enhances these effects, giving the figure an almost lifelike luminosity.

Mad Love ultimately embodies Carpeaux’s creative vitality and his ability to infuse classical form with modern emotion. The sculpture evokes universal themes—love, folly, and joy—with a vitality that continues to resonate today.