Editorial note — Chapter XXVII
Reading edition
K. Jean Baptiste Carpeaux, born at Valenciennes (1827-1875). Studied under Rude, Duret, and Abel de Pujol. In 1854 he took the prix de Rome. In 1865 he was commissioned to decorate the Pavilion of Flora in the Louvre; he there executed one of his larger works, called “Imperial France bringing Light to the World, and protecting Agriculture and Science.” In 1869 his group of “Dancers” was placed on the façade of the New Opera at Paris. It will be remembered that in the night of August 27, 1869, the work was disfigured by having a corrosive ink thrown over it. The spots were removed.