Bust, marble, Charles Le Brun, by Antoine Coysevox, France, late 17th century

The subject wears a wig and looks half right. A tunic fastened at the throat is visible above the cloak, which is draped over his shoulders. He wears a pendant medallion, surrounded by a crown and showing a profile head of Louis XIV.

Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A.

Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1951. Bought by him from Matthiesen Ltd., 142, New Bond Street. The previous owner, Lord Annaly, states that it certainly belonged to his grandfather, 3rd Viscount Glifden and 2nd Baron Dover (b. 1825; d. 1866) and that it was probably in the family even earlier. He thinks it was always at Holdenby House, Northants, though it may conceivably have been at Dover House, Whitehall, London, at an earlier date. The 3rd Viscount Clifden married a Miss Seymour, who was the great grand-daughter of Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford. Lord Annaly states that his mother commissioned a copy of the bust and that this now belongs to Lord Spencer, his brother-in-law, and is at Althorp. An Italian sculptor living in London, called Manente, states that he executed the copy in 1922. The then Lord Annaly died shortly afterwards and the copy was delivered to the executors in 1923. Manente retained the plaster cast of the original and presented it to the museum (to keep or destroy) in 1951, The cast is certainly made from this present bust.

This bust of Charles Le Brun was made by Antoine Coysevox (b. 1640; d. 1720) in France. It is likely to date from the 1670s given the date of a similar marble in the Louvre Museum, Paris (1671) and a terracotta version in the Wallace Collection, London (1676).

Le Brun (1619-1690) was an important French artist, painter and art theorist.

A.49-1951