Bust of Dancer Marie-Madeleine Guimard
France
18th Century (c.1770s)
Unsigned. Attributed to, or after original by sculptor Gaetano Merchi (1747-1823)
Marble
Cm 70 high x 48 wide 25 deep
This expressive 18th century marble portrait bust is of Marie-Madeleine Guimard (1743-1816), a successful dancer and one of the most famous courtesans of pre-Revolutionary France. The bust is unsigned, but identical to one in the collection of London's V&A museum carved by sculptor Gaetano Merchi, who worked in Paris making portraits of actresses and dancers. As with other popular figures, a number of versions of this bust were made, but mainly in terracotta. Highly detailed and lifelike, the hair, draped cloth and facial features show the hand of a skilled artist. This striking and beautiful neoclassical marble would be eye-catching in any style of interior from traditional to ultra-modern.
