c19th carved white statuary marble bust of madame juliette recamier after the original study by joseph chinard

Description

C19th carved white statuary marble bust of Madame Juliette Recaimer after the original study by Joseph Chinard. Sculpted in 1801 the study by Chinard (1756-1813) depicts Juliette Recamier (1777- 1849) ,the society hostess and beauty of the Napoleonic French Empire period. Juliette was celebrated for her beauty and love affairs and the sculpture captures the essence of her beauty.
Coyly looking down ,this study Madame Recamier holds a veil across her chest, the sheath both demurely concealing and revealing her breast. Chinard cleverly compensated for the artificiality of the bust form by elongating the bust to mid-torso and covering the transition between the body and the pedestal with drapery , thus creating a work of surprising naturalism. The softly modelled limbs and the slight twist of her head and shoulders suggest a living presence while the upswept hair held with a scarf, hints at her elegance.
Married at aged 15 to a wealthy lawyer some 30 years her senior, Juliette had a loveless unconsummated marriage and conducted numerous flagrant affairs, the most celebrated with the Prussian Prince Augustus, the youngest brother of King Frederick II. In her Parisian town-house, she held a fashionable literary salon frequented by the political and educated elite. Many of the most accomplished portraitists of the era sculpted, drew and painted her image . Chinard's original terracotta bust was considered the most successful at capturing her spirit and beauty and was produced in different versions in both clay and marble. The study was later copied and reprised by the sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon .
An stunning portrait bust of the highest quality ,depicting an elegant, celebrated and enigmatic woman.
A terracotta version now in J.Paul Getty Museum ,Los Angeles . U.S.A.
A marble bust in the Musee-des-Beaux-Arts , Lyons ,France.
In excellent condition with no damage or repairs. Good consistent gently-aged colour and patina .
H 25"
W 15"
D 10"
France c. 1870
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