{"product_id":"belle-epoque-bronze-bust-of-diana-de-poitiers-after-jean-antoine-houdon","title":"Belle Époque Bronze Bust of Diana de Poitiers – After Jean-Antoine Houdon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrench School, Late 19th Century\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiana de Poitiers, After Jean-Antoine Houdon, circa 1880\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrench Cast Bronze Portrait Bust on Breccia Marble\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHighlights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElegant late 19th-century French cast bronze portrait bust.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDepicts \u003cstrong\u003eDiana de Poitiers (c. 1499–1566)\u003c\/strong\u003e, celebrated noblewoman of Renaissance France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDating stylistically to circa 1880.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter \u003cstrong\u003eJean-Antoine Houdon (1741–1828)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinely modelled coiffure, idealised features and flowing drapery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttractive naturally aged brown bronze patina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMounted on a richly coloured breccia marble base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompact cabinet scale with a substantial weight of approximately 1.2 kg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApparently unsigned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrivate collection provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCurated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupplied with a Certificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution from Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn elegant late 19th-century French cast bronze portrait bust depicting \u003cstrong\u003eDiana de Poitiers\u003c\/strong\u003e, the celebrated French Renaissance noblewoman and influential figure at the court of King Henry II of France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDating stylistically to circa 1880, the sculpture belongs to the 19th-century French tradition of revisiting celebrated historical personalities through refined decorative portraiture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiana is presented with an elaborate coiffure, composed expression and gracefully arranged drapery. The treatment creates an idealised aristocratic likeness in which the sitter's historical identity is combined with the elegance expected of French decorative sculpture of the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present bust is catalogued as \u003cstrong\u003eFrench School, circa 1880, after Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741–1828)\u003c\/strong\u003e. The designation “after” indicates a later interpretation following a sculptural model or composition associated with Houdon rather than suggesting that the present bronze was executed during Houdon's lifetime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMounted upon a richly figured breccia marble base, the sculpture combines historical interest with considerable decorative presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtist: French School\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTitle: \u003cem\u003eDiana de Poitiers\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDate: Circa 1880\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeriod: Late 19th Century\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium: Cast bronze\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBase: Breccia marble with green baize underside\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttribution: After Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741–1828)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSignature: Apparently unsigned\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubject: Diana de Poitiers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: Approximately 1.2 kg\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bust presents Diana de Poitiers in an elegant three-quarter format, rising from an integral bronze socle above a square breccia marble base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer head is gently elevated, creating a poised and aristocratic bearing. The facial features are softly idealised, with a smooth forehead, delicately modelled eyes, straight nose and restrained mouth contributing to the serene character of the portrait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticular attention has been given to the elaborate coiffure. The carefully modelled passages of hair introduce movement and texture around the head and provide an effective contrast with the smoother modelling of the face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow, broad and flowing folds of drapery create movement through the lower composition and give the sculpture a graceful silhouette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bronze retains an attractive naturally aged brown patina. Deeper tonal passages have developed within the recesses of the hair, facial contours and drapery, while gentle rubbing to raised areas produces warmer highlights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe richly figured breccia marble base provides a particularly effective decorative counterpoint, displaying reds, ochres, creams and darker natural mineral veining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTogether, the bronze and marble create a sophisticated cabinet sculpture with considerable visual presence despite its relatively intimate proportions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiana de Poitiers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiana de Poitiers (c. 1499–1566) was one of the most celebrated women of Renaissance France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA French noblewoman of considerable status and influence, she became closely associated with \u003cstrong\u003eHenry II of France\u003c\/strong\u003e, exercising significant influence at the royal court.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiana was renowned for her beauty, sophistication and cultivated image. Her historical reputation subsequently inspired generations of artists, writers and collectors, and her likeness became an enduring subject within French historical portraiture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the 19th century, renewed enthusiasm for earlier periods of French history encouraged artists and bronze founders to revisit celebrated historical personalities. Diana de Poitiers, with her associations of beauty, aristocratic refinement and Renaissance court culture, proved especially suited to this romantic revival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present sculpture belongs to this tradition of later historical portraiture, presenting Diana as an elegant and idealised Renaissance beauty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter Jean-Antoine Houdon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJean-Antoine Houdon (1741–1828) was one of the foremost French portrait sculptors of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn at Versailles, Houdon became celebrated for portrait sculpture combining exceptional technical refinement with close observation of individual character. His sitters included many of the most prominent intellectual, political and cultural figures of his age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoudon's approach to portraiture proved enormously influential, and sculptural models associated with his name continued to be reproduced, interpreted and adapted by later sculptors, workshops and bronze founders throughout the 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present bronze is catalogued as \u003cstrong\u003eafter Jean-Antoine Houdon\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating that it represents a later interpretation following a Houdon-associated sculptural model or composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sculpture is apparently unsigned and no identified foundry mark is currently known. It is therefore appropriately described as \u003cstrong\u003eFrench School, late 19th century, after Jean-Antoine Houdon\u003c\/strong\u003e, rather than attributed directly to Houdon himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrivate collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubsequently curated and presented by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo earlier documentary provenance or identified foundry record is currently known.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall height: 18.5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidth: 9 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDepth: 6 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBase: 6.3 × 6.3 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: Approximately 1.2 kg\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts elegant cabinet scale makes the sculpture particularly suitable for a mantelpiece, console table, writing desk, library, bookcase or collector's cabinet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sculpture is in good antique condition and presents attractively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bronze retains a warm, naturally aged brown patina with gentle surface wear, rubbing and tonal variation consistent with age and previous display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe marble base remains stable and retains a green baize covering to its underside. Several small chips and minor losses are visible along the lower edges and corners of the marble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo major structural damage or obvious repair has been identified under normal visual inspection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease examine the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorldwide shipping is available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sculpture will be professionally packaged and fully insured for secure delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease contact us for further photographs, additional condition information or a destination-specific shipping quotation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribution and Research\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional photographs and further information are available upon request.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56192324960634,"sku":"CAC-SK-0449","price":3250.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0201\/2227\/1808\/files\/MarieAntoinetteIntheMannerofMathurinMoreau.jpg?v=1763458248","url":"https:\/\/cheshireantiquesconsultantltd.com\/ga-sk\/products\/belle-epoque-bronze-bust-of-diana-de-poitiers-after-jean-antoine-houdon","provider":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}