Apr 27
Eloa, ou la sœur des anges (Eloa, Sister of the Angels) (1862) by Joseph-Michel-Ange Pollet (French, 1814 – 1870), signed ‘J. Pollet’, white marble, 130 cm (51 in), Private Collection
#Eloa ou la sœur des anges#Eloa Sister of the Angels#Joseph-Michel-Ange Pollet#sculpture#my upload#art#white marble#19th century#a masterpiece depicting the tragic seduction of an angel of compassion by Satan#Inspired by Alfred de Vigny's 1823 poem it symbolizes the Romantic fascination with fallen beauty compassion leading to ruin#and the emotional dramatic struggle between good and evil#The Story: Eloa an angel born from Christ’s tears for Lazarus is seduced by Lucifer—who uses his own tears to charm her—#leading to her fall from heaven#Romantic Heroism: Lucifer is portrayed not merely as evil but as a handsome devil and a Romantic hero—charismatic and tormented—#highlighting the dichotomy of evil possessing beautiful tragic qualities#Compassion and Ruin: Eloa represents pure compassion believing that one so beautiful (Satan) cannot be bad#resulting in her doom and highlighting the vulnerability of naive innocence#Sculptural Focus: Pollet's sculpture focuses on the dramatic moment of abduction emphasizing emotional intensity#detailed drapery and the physical temptation of the angel by the devil a theme often discussed by art historians
