JEAN-BAPTISTE, CALLED AUGUSTE CLÉSINGER | BUST OF FLORA

This allegorical bust of Flora encapsulates the Romantic Movement, reminiscent of the Rococo, in mid-19th century France. The smoothly sculpted surface contrasts with the delicate flowers, leaves, and refined locks of hair.

Lami records a bust entitled La Femme à la Rose (op. cit.) conceived in 1865 which may be identified with the present finely carved marble bust. Alternatively, another bust by Clésinger is recorded as Les Roses made in 1870, which is equally consistent with this model.

In 1832 Clésinger studied in the studio of Thorvaldsen in Rome. He first emerged in the Salon in 1847.

RELATED LITERATURE

S. Lami, Dictionnaire des sculpteurs de l’école française, vol. 1, Paris, 1916, pp. 401-402