France Lighting the World 1865

"France Lighting the World" is a bronze sculpture by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, created in 1865. The work depicts a female figure, representing France, seated on a rock formation, holding a torch aloft, symbolizing the spread of French culture and influence. This piece, now housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to Carpeaux's signature style of dynamic and expressive sculptures, often portraying figures in motion with a sense of dramatic energy. The sculpture exemplifies French Romantic art of the 19th century, with its emphasis on emotion and symbolism.