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Very Fine Terracotta Bust of Alexandre Brongniart, After Jean-Antoine Houdon

About the Item

A very fine early 20th century terracotta bust of Alexandre Brongniart, after the original work by Jean-Antoine Houdon. Demonstrating exacting proportions & finely sculpted features, signed in script on the reverse of the left shoulder, raised upon a mottled marble socle. Alexandre Brongniart was the son of famed famed architect Alexandre Théodore Brongniart (1739-1813), who designed the Paris Bourse (the old Stock Exchange). Alexandre became a specialist in firing techniques of porcelain and became Director of the Sèvres Porcelain Factory in 1800. He was also a noted naturalist and geologist, holding a professorship at the Sorbonne and the Museum of Natural History and it is while teaching there that he is noted for having created the term ‘Jurasic’. Jean-Antoine Houdon, (1741-1828) studied sculpture in Paris under such illustrious names as Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne and Jean-Baptiste Pigalle. In 1771 Houdon became a member of the Académie Royale and was made a professor in 1778. Soon after he was commissioned to create terracotta busts of the Brongniart children, one of Alexandre and the other of his sister Louise, both of which were then presented at the 1777 Salon. The original busts then remained in the Brongniart family until they were purchased by the Louvre in the late 19th century. The busts were so admired that versions in terracotta, marble and bronze were skilfully reproduced, both prior-to and shortly after their acquisition by the Louvre.
  • Similar to:
    Jean-Antoine Houdon (Sculptor)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.75 in (37.47 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Style:
    Victorian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1900
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. In very good overall conditions with very minor surface wear as observed.
  • Seller Location:
    Ottawa, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU272837774573
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