Allegory of War 1800 - 1868

Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse created this terracotta sculpture, "Allegory of War," sometime in the 19th century. It depicts a seated woman, semi-nude, cradling a human skull in her hands, an unsettling image that uses classical allegorical form to explore the dark realities of war. Carrier-Belleuse was a popular artist during the Second Empire in France, and like many artists of his time, he drew inspiration from classical antiquity, but his work was also shaped by the social and political context of his era. France experienced several major conflicts, so this sculpture reflects a growing sense of disillusionment with the glorification of war. Rather than celebrating military triumphs, it confronts the viewer with the human cost of armed conflict. To fully understand this artwork, we can consult historical documents, political writings, and cultural studies from 19th-century France. By exploring these resources, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social, political, and institutional forces that shaped its creation.