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Not currently on display at the V&A

Napoleon

Bust
ca. 1806 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bronze bust of Napoleon Bonaparte was made after a terracotta bust of Napoleon by Jean-Antoine Houdon, of 1806. The bust follows closely the Houdon portrait, but with the addition of the wreath, and the omission of the irises of the eyes. The bust is cast in several pieces, the cast marks not removed.

Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1823) is universally recognized as the greatest European portrait sculptor of the last half of the 18th century. He excelled in penetrating portrayals of the great intellectual, military, and political figures of the Enlightenment, as well as portraits of children. He was also masterly in conveying textiles and other textures in carved marble.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleNapoleon (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Bust, bronze, Napoleon Bonaparte, after Jean-Antoine Houdon, French, after 1806
Physical description
Bust of Napoleon facing front, undraped, and crowned with a laurel wreath.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 5.9cm
Credit line
Presented by Art Fund
Object history
Transferred from the Tate Gallery in 1983, previously Tate Loan 68.
Subject depicted
Summary
This bronze bust of Napoleon Bonaparte was made after a terracotta bust of Napoleon by Jean-Antoine Houdon, of 1806. The bust follows closely the Houdon portrait, but with the addition of the wreath, and the omission of the irises of the eyes. The bust is cast in several pieces, the cast marks not removed.

Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1823) is universally recognized as the greatest European portrait sculptor of the last half of the 18th century. He excelled in penetrating portrayals of the great intellectual, military, and political figures of the Enlightenment, as well as portraits of children. He was also masterly in conveying textiles and other textures in carved marble.
Bibliographic reference
Arnason, H. H., The Sculptures of Houdon, London, 1975, p. 102, and plates 136-7
Collection
Accession number
A.16-1984

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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