Patinated Terracotta Bust Probably Representing Beaumarchais

Patinated terracotta bust representing a man, probably Beaumarchais. It depicts his head turned to the right, wearing a wig and a scarf tied over a shirt.
The bust rests on a marble pedestal base.
After a model by Jean-Jacques Caffieri
Second half of the 18th century
Regular restorations
H. 59 x W. 44 x D. 22 cm

The bust in our study shows a man in a three-quarter position. This gives the man a spontaneous attitude, reinforced by his negligee clothing: a shirt casually tied with a knot. The sculptor captures a moment of life, evident in the subject's sparkling eyes.
 
Caffieri was born in 1725 in Paris. His father, Jacques Caffieri, was himself a renowned sculptor and cast iron maker. He trained with Jean-Baptiste II Lemoyne. His extensive work features numerous depictions of French writers: Corneille, Marivaux, Jean de La Fontaine, and Molière. It is therefore quite consistent for us to associate the bust we are presenting with the playwright Beaumarchais.
Beaumarchais (1732-1799) was a man of letters with a productive life. Playwright, secret agent, disinherited heir, ranging from legal scandals to literary successes. He is still studied today in all French institutions, with his major work Figaro, which served as the basis for Mozart's famous opera. Jean-Marc Nattier has provided us with a portrait of him (dated 1755, held in a private collection), which is reminiscent, in its expression, of the bust in our study, which is also held in the same pose.

The Art Institute of Chicago has a plaster replica of the bust in our study (ref. 1943.1226). Another probable representation of Beaumarchais was sold at Christie's on July 6, 1999 (lot 61).

Ref: 649G9Y1KFM