This is a characteristic example of the art of Broche Brothers, who each enjoyed an outstanding reputation as a sculptor. It is typical that they do not show a single figure (which, however, exists), but a group. It is a boy / putto sitting on a lawn with his little dog (with collar) with whom he is playing. He pulls him a little, which does not necessarily mean punishment. This is suggested by the conspicuous grouping, since thousands of other variants of the then less special assignment are conceivable.
Here the motive is the "loyalty", which is important, but does not belong to the cardinals. The dog, which also embodies fidelity in everyday life through its behavior.
Such allegorical representations, here in the form of personification, are very frequent in the visual arts (also in the literature since the Middle Ages) and a popular task for artists.
Broche's works are stylistically close to one generation's older contemporary, Etienne-Maurice Falconet (1716-1791) (such as the "L'Amour menaçant" in the Louvre). This common, classical style with its reserved realism was in sculpture in Europe Extremely popular.

Literature:
Romano Guardini: Virtues. Meditations on the design of moral life. Werkbund-Verlag, Würzburg, 1963, pp. 79-87.
Falconet à Sèvres. Catalog. Musée de Céramique à Sèvres. 11/2001 - 02/2002. Paris 2001.
Provenance: private collection