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Alluring French bronze sculpture “L’étoile du berger” signed Hippolyte Moreau

Large French bronze sculpture “L’étoile du berger” signed Hippolyte François Moreau (1832-1927)

Alluring French bronze sculpture by Hippolyte François Moreau titled “L’étoile du Berger” representing a winged woman in an elegant pose in an allegory to Venus and love.

The expression “Étoile du Berger” (start of the shepherd) is very old. In the past, the shepherds who lived to the rhythm of days and nights, watched for the appearance of the first star in the sky in the evening, to return to the sheepfold. This evening star actually is not a star but it is the planet Venus, which tells us that this sculpture is actually an allegory to Venus goddess of love.

This bronze sculpture “L’étoile du berger” by Hippolyte Moreau rests on a circular base with a plaque inscribed “Étoile du berger – Salon des Beaux-Arts”. It is very elegant with naturally flowing fabric of the clothes and a fine facial expression. The patina has a warm brown colour and is in very good condition. This beautiful French bronze sculpture carries the signature “Hip.te Moreau” on the terrace of the sculpture. It has a stamped number B1769 and the foundry mark of “Société des Bronzes de Paris”.

Details of the sculpture “L’étoile du berger” by Hippolyte Moreau

France late 19th century.
Dimensions: 74 cm high, 38 cm wide and 28 cm deep. Diameter of the base: 20 cm.
Weight: 13,9 kg.

Hippolyte François Moreau (1832-1927)

Hippolyte François Moreau (Dijon, 1832 – Neuilly-sur-Seine, 1927) was a classically trained French sculptor. The second son of world-famous sculptor Jean-Baptiste Moreau, he initially worked under his father before moving to Paris to work and study under the direction of François Jouffroy. Hippolyte Moreau exhibited his first work at the Salon in 1859 and from that moment he regularly exhibited his work at the Salon of French Artists. He also won awards for his sculptures at Paris’ Universal Exposition in both 1878 and 1900.

Hippolyte Moreau was well-known for his sculpture of the famous mathematician Alexis Claude Clairaut on one of the facades of the Paris City Hall, rue de Lobau. The best of his work includes full figures of children and young women, mostly allegorical.

Many of his sculptures can be found throughout France, including in the City Hall of Paris and the Museum of Fine Arts in Dijon.