Carpeaux broke with classical academic tradition with his lively, realistic sculptures, which often created scandal and debate. The monument of the painter Watteau (1684–1721), meant to celebrate Valenciennes, the home city of Carpeaux (and Watteau), took up a large part of the sculptor’s career. This carefully sculpted and slightly angled head is one of many studies Carpeaux made for the monument, which was not unveiled until after his death.