Fine Pair 19th Century Bronze & Marble Classical Sculptures Voltaire & Rousseau

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After D’après Houdon, unsigned.
Pair of sculptures representing Voltaire and Rousseau in full length after Houdon in finely chiseled patinated … Read more After D’après Houdon, unsigned.
Pair of sculptures representing Voltaire and Rousseau in full length after Houdon in finely chiseled patinated bronze on a Sienna marble base, France, 19th c. Measuring 21” x 6” x 6”. Original patina with corner of marble base having tiny chip.

François-Marie Arouet, known as Voltaire (1694-1778) and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) are considered the two greatest writers and philosophers of the reign of Louis XV. Already during their lifetime, a few sculptors tried to portray them, then in 1778 after their disappearance, several pairs of statuettes associating them were made in busts or in full length. It is in this context that the two sculptures that we are presenting were created, of which a few similar examples are known, notably a pair on cylindrical bases in onyx and gilded bronze which was formerly in a private European collection (Sotheby's sale, Paris, on 14 June 2006, lot 173). Let us also mention that some old auction sales describe sculptures of this type then attributed to Forestier, notably those which appeared in the Hurtault collection in February 1825: This pair was just acquired by us from a significant private collection placed in storage 40+ years ago. From the Dragon Culture collection. First time offered for sale. Surely a fine addition to any antique bronze collection. See less