Sculptures Possibly 1839 - 1985

Hippolyte Bayard made this photo of sculptures, sometime in the 19th century; it's now at the Art Institute of Chicago. I'm really drawn to the range of textures in this image. It's almost like the sculptures themselves are frozen mid-conversation, each with its own story to tell, from the embracing figures at the back to the stoic busts on either side. Imagine Bayard setting up this shot, arranging the sculptures just so, maybe tweaking the light to catch the contours of the stone. You can almost feel the weight of the marble, the coolness of the surface. Look at the way the light falls across the figures, highlighting the curves and angles. And that little cupid! It adds a playful touch amidst all the classical seriousness. I wonder what Bayard was thinking when he chose these particular sculptures? Was he making a comment on art history? On love? Or was he just playing around with form and light?