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Genius of the Dance

1864
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 552
Carpeaux’s high relief on the façade of the Opéra Garnier in Paris, with its naturalistic nudes embodying Dance, is one of the great monuments of Second Empire style. The limestone group was vilified and even splattered with ink but also found admirers, as witness the many bronze reductions of the crowning figure, an inspired teenager who conducts the rhythms of the dancers. This cast, with its very evident seams, is a chef modèle, which was easily disassembled and its separate parts then served for the casting of more elegantly assembled and finished commercial editions.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Genius of the Dance
  • Artist: Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (French, Valenciennes 1827–1875 Courbevoie)
  • Date: 1864
  • Culture: French, Paris
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 21 11/16 x 9 1/2 in. (55.1 x 24.1 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Bronze
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1970
  • Object Number: 1970.171
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Boy crying, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux French, Cast terracotta, French, Paris
Boy crying
Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux
1870–72
Model for the Watteau Fountain, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux French, Patinated plaster, French
Model for the Watteau Fountain
Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux
ca. 1867–68
Study for the Ugolino Group, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux French, Graphite
Study for the Ugolino Group
Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux
19th century
Bacchante with vine leaves, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux French, Terracotta; marble base, French
Bacchante with vine leaves
Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux
ca. 1872–75
Scene in a Tavern at Civita Vecchia, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux French, Pen and black ink on blue paper
Scene in a Tavern at Civita Vecchia
Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux
1858

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Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux - Genius of the Dance - French, Paris - The Metropolitan Museum of Art