Giovanni Boldini

While many of the objects in Boldini's studio have been identified and appear in his paintings, the small bronze sculpture of Louis XIV has apparently not been noted in his inventory.  However, the expressive style of the present work and its similarity to other views of Boldini's studio suggest that it held personal interest to the artist— if not a place in his private collection.  Rather than directly illustrating one of the known and reproduced bronzes of Louis XIV by Martin Desjardins (1637-1694) or François Girardon (1628-1715), in the present work Boldini enlivens his royal figure— with a raised arm and upturned mustache suggesting a smile and friendly greeting.