Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, one of the most prolific and versatile sculptors of the 19th century, began his career studying at the Ecole des Beaux arts in Paris under David D'Angers in 1840, first exhibiting at the Salon in 1851. From 1850 to 1854 he worked under Leon Arnoux at Minton's porcelain works in England, returning in 1855. His reputation was made by the group Salve Regina which he exhibited at the Salon in 1861 and his first great success came in 1863 when The Emperor Napoleon III bought his Bacchante with the Herm of Dionysus for the Tuileries Gardens. His later works brought him medals and the Legion D'Honneur, many public commissions and the appointment to be director of the Sévres porcelain factory. There he counted among his assistants Rodin, Mathurin and Moreau, although his own work showed little sympathy with the modern movement which Rodin was so instrumental in developing. This bust can be reliably dated to the period before 1868 when he signed his work A. CARRIER rather than in full.