Portrait of Juliette Récamier, terracotta after Joseph Chinard.

This bust, signed Houdon, is in fact by Joseph Chinard, the original being housed at the Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. It depicts the ravishing Juliette Récamier, renowned both for her beauty and for her Salon, which was frequented by the most illustrious figures of the day. This bust has often been reproduced in terracotta, marble and even bisque.
Nicknamed "la belle des belles", her bust was sculpted by Joseph Chinard in the early 19th century. I found a perfect description of this sculpture on the internet in the blog "un jour une œuvre": "Chinard executed it in front of his model during one of his stays in Paris in 1801 or 1802, when he was staying with the Récamier family. Juliette Récamier is shown not yet 30 years old. The success of this portrait lies in its skilful balance between simplicity and elegance, shyness and effrontery. The modest pose contrasts with the elegance of the sophisticated hairstyle. With her head delicately bowed and her gaze shyly downward, Juliette Récamier modestly raises her shawl, but the transparency of the shawl reveals her bosom more than it conceals it. The model's pose and hairstyle highlight the sensuality of her nape and bare back, allowing Chinard to exalt Juliette's legendary beauty."
Joseph Chinard was born in Lyon on February 12, 1756, and died there on June 20, 1813. A pupil of Donat Nonotte and then Barthélemy Blaise, he spent several years in Rome, where he perfected his skills and in 1786 was awarded the Prix de l'Académie de Saint Luc in Rome. Around 1802, he stayed in Paris with Juliette Récamier, for whom he painted several portraits. In 1807, he was appointed professor of sculpture at the Ecole Spéciale de Dessin de Lyon, a position he held until his death in 1813 at the age of 57. He was awarded a gold medal at the Salon de Paris in 1808, and his works can be seen today in the most famous museums: Musée des Beaux Arts de Grenoble, Musée des Beaux Arts de Lyon, Musée Cognacq-Jay in Paris, Paul Getty Museum, Stockholm Museum and the Château de Versailles.
Good condition, with some soiling.
19th century.
Dimensions: height 60 cm, width 35 cm.

Ref: 77MPMKWN8B