Italian Carved Carrara Marble Bust of La Pudeur or Modesty After French Neoclassical Sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon 1741–1828, Studio of Francesco Mariotti 1838–1932, Circa 1880
Art, GeneralBeautifully carved in Carrara white marble, this three-quarter bust titled La Pudeur, or Modesty, is executed after Houdon’s celebrated classical model. Produced around the turn of the twentieth century, this piece perfectly encapsulates the refined grace, balanced symmetry, and soft naturalism that defined the height of the French Neoclassical movement. Replicas of this exact form were routinely carved by premier Italian workshops, most notably the Carrara-based studio of Francesco Mariotti (1838–1932), whose artisans specialized in translating landmark French classical compositions into fine-grained Italian stone for late Victorian and Edwardian collectors.
Jean-Antoine Houdon was a premier French Neoclassical sculptor renowned for capturing the lifelike essence, precise anatomy, and distinct personalities of his subjects. Born in Versailles on March 20, 1741, he mastered his trade at the Académie Royale before passing away in Paris on July 15, 1828. Houdon rose to international renown during the Enlightenment—an 18th-century intellectual movement that championed reason, science, and individualism over blind faith—securing commissions to sculpt iconic historical figures including Voltaire, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. Today, his masterpieces define the pinnacle of Enlightenment-era portraiture, and his original works are held in permanent museum collections worldwide, including the Musée du Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The elegant young female figure is depicted casting a playful downward glance over her right shoulder, her face framed by intricately braided and coiled wavy hair. Her arms are crossed modestly over her chest as her hands grasp the gathered folds of her antique-style draped gown. The entire sculpture is meticulously carved from a solid block of fine white Carrara marble, which catches the light to showcase a beautiful, luminous depth, soft skin textures, and sharp definitions within the hair recesses and drapery folds.
The sculpture is well-preserved with a clean overall surface finish. Consistent with age and the delicate nature of stone carvings, there is a minor historical loss to one finger on the left hand. The marble torso remains sound and free of any large structural cracks or modern restorations, retaining its classic architectural presence and sophisticated European charm.
Dimensions: 17 inches high x 11 inches wide x 8 inches deep.
£3,427.58
1 in stock
