Jean-Babtiste Carpeaux
(Valenciennes 1827-1875 Courbevois)

Suzanne surprise

Circa 1872
Pink patinated terracotta
Signed “J.Bte. Carpeaux" with the Propiété Carpeaux imperial eagle and atelier-depôt d' Auteuil, 71 rue Boileau Paris cachets and stamped 1981
Authentic cast ca. 1880
Height 64,5cm

The sculpture depicts the moment that biblical Susanna discovers that she is being watched by two old men while she takes her bath. She covers her breasts with her left arm and at the same time looks at the two men. Carpeaux has wonderfully captured the movement of her twisted body with her hair sweeping over her back. Most striking is the expression on her face which is a mixture of surprise, disgust and anger.

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