Francisque-Joseph Duret 1804-1865 Napolitan Dancer 19th century

bronze, light brown patina, signed f. Duret and inscribed Delafontaine.

Alongside his well known L'Improvisateur, Duret's Napolitan dancer reflects the influence of both classical antiquity and the Florentine Renaissance. Born in Paris, Duret enrolled at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1818 and studied under Bosio and his father Francois-Joseph. He shared the Grand Prix with Dumont and exhibited at the Salon from 1831 to 1863, winning a first class medal in 1831. He entered the Institute in 1843 and was given the title of professor at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1852.