Fantasy Bust of a Veiled Woman (Marguerite Bellanger?) c. 1865 - 1870

Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse sculpted this bust of a veiled woman, perhaps Marguerite Bellanger, in terracotta. The veil, a prominent feature, carries a rich tapestry of meanings. Across centuries and cultures, the veil has symbolized modesty, mystery, and protection, as well as status. Consider ancient Roman matrons, who wore veils as emblems of virtue and respectability, or even religious associations, such as depictions of the Virgin Mary. This act of covering reveals both a desire to conceal and an allure to uncover. The woman’s serene expression, juxtaposed with the concealing veil, evokes a complex psychological interplay. It engages our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations with beauty, secrecy, and the eternal feminine. This is a cyclical motif – the veil reappears through history, adapting and accumulating new layers of meaning, engaging viewers on a primal, subconscious level.