White marble statue of a Nymph at the bath. French, after Etienne Falconet

Statue. White marble. A Nymph at the Bath. 'La Baigneuse a la rose'. Figure stands with her left hand on the stump of a tree, while with her right hand she holds up her drapery. In her hair is a rose; a slight variation which serves to distinguish this statuette from the original, now in the Louvre, which was exhibited at the Salon on 1757.

Bequeathed by John Jones

Jones Bequest. On its exhibition in 1757 the 'Baigneuse' attained instant popularity and numerous examples in marble and Biscuit de Sèvres exist.

Etienne-Maurice Falconet (1716-91) served his apprenticeship under Lemoyne. He never went to Rome, but was influenced by the work of Bernini. He became a member of the Académie in 1754 and for some years worked under the direct patronage of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour. He was selected by Catherine the Great's Advisor to execute a memorial statue to Peter the Great so went to Russia in 1766 where he produced numerous statues and groups until he left in 1778. He went to Holland and stayed there until 1780. He had then planned to go to Italy but was taken ill in France where he stayed until his death. Falconet was a highly influential French sculptor of the eighteenth century.

This white marble statue depicts a Nymph at the bath.The Figure stands with her left hand on the stump of a tree, while with her right hand she holds up her drapery. In her hair is a rose; a slight variation which serves to distinguish this statuette from the original, by Etienne Falconet, now in the Louvre which was exhibited at the Salon on 1757.

1131-1882