The statuette "Prince Louis Jean Joseph with the dog Nero"

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827-1875) is recognized as one of the most talented French sculptors of the modern era. Rising from humble beginnings as the son of a bricklayer in Valenciennes, his artistic talent set him on an unlikely path to fame. Over the course of his career, he honed his skills at various drawing schools and later in the esteemed studios of prominent Parisian artists such as Ryud, Duré and David Angersky.

Carpeaux's unyielding commitment to realism became his hallmark, eschewing the trend of idealization that permeated the art world of his time. His sculptures exude an authenticity and rawness that captivated both his contemporaries and generations of future admirers. His remarkable talent earned him numerous prizes and awards in the field of sculpture creation.

In 1864, Carpeaux received a commission of the highest honor when he was invited by the imperial couple to sculpt a portrait of their son, the Imperial Prince Louis Jean Joseph. The artist spent an entire year perfecting his likeness of the nine-year-old prince. The final full-length plaster sculpture of the prince was publicly exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1866, earning high praise for its lifelike portrayal.

Following its success, Carpeaux created a smaller bronze replica of the sculpture, which was displayed at the Salons of 1867 and 1868. True to his realistic style, Carpeaux chose to depict the prince not in his usual royal garb but as a simple bourgeois boy with his pet dog Nero, a gift from the Russian ambassador to the imperial couple.