Child from Abruzzo by André Allar

An important bronze sculpture with a dark brown patina representing a young naked Neapolitan from the Abruzzi region. Standing, he holds an amphora filled with water in both hands. His turban and scapular (a devotional object worn around the neck) indicate his Neapolitan origin. The attitude of the head and the expression on the face convey the child’s effort, and the features convey the carefree nature of that age. This search for truth and naturalness led the sculptor to emphasise the movement and expression of the face, with dimples, open eyes and clearly visible teeth, a departure from the classical rules.

French work from the late 19th century, circa 1890.
Sculpture of the same dimensions as the model exhibited in the Musée d’Orsay.
The original bronze model was acquired by the French state at the 1873 Salon – Palais des Champs Elysées no. 1495 and is now on display at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris (inventory number RF 216).
A white marble version was also exhibited at the 1881 Salon at the Palais des Champs Elysées.