He was known for his revolutionary spirit and at the same as one of the best sculptors of his time: Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827-1875) won, the "Prix de Rome" at the age of 27 and like few others, inspired his audience himself. He regularly affronted the major institutions provoked them both with his works and his performances and still was considered one of the most popular artists of the 2nd Empire.

His works, which are characterized by great anatomical and psychological reality and at the same time tenderly and lyrically reflect elements from the rococo, became popular at the imperial court in Versailles. So Carpeaux became a teacher of "Prince Imperial" and received significant public orders. For example, he created the architectural decoration of the “Pavillon de Flore” at the Louvre as well as "La Dance", a group of sculptures for the facade of the Paris Opera.

A plastic work of sculptural art made of wood, stone, ivory, bronze or other metals.

While sculptures from wood, ivory or stone are made directly from the block of material, for bronze casting a working model is prepared at first. Usually it is made of clay or other easily shaped materials.

The prime time of sculpture after the Roman antiquity was the Renaissance. Impressionism gave a new impulse to the sculptural arts. Also the contemporary artists, such as Jorg Immendorf, Andora, and Markus Lupertz enriched the sculpture with outstanding works.