This is a marble sculpture by French sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (12 June 1824 – 4 June 1887). Carrier-Belleuse made many terracotta pieces, the most famous of which may be The Abduction of Hippodamei adepicting the Greek mythological scene of a centaur kidnapping Hippodameia on her wedding day. He was also made artistic director at the Manufacture nationale de Sevres in 1876. In 1862 Carrier-Belleuse was one of the founding members of the Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts, and was made an Officier of the Legion d'honneur. The bronzes he executed prior to 1868 were always signed Carrier or A. Carrier, but after 1868 his signature was changed to Carrier-Belleuse. His work encompassed all manner of sculptural subjects and materials, and his naturalism incorporated a breadth of styles: unembellished Realism, neo-Baroque exuberance, and Rococo elegance.