Lorenzo Bartolini (1777-1850) Italian, Florence, first half 19th century

Overall the condition of the bust is very good with some minor wear to the surface consistent with age. There is soft softness in the marble at the hair, which may be consistent with minor weathering. There are some minor chips around the edge of the base. There are some naturally occuring veining to the marble as visible in the catalogue photograph and a few minor inclusions consistent with the material.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Lorenzo Bartolini was a devout Bonapartist who even joined Napoleon in exile in Elba.  Once settled in Florence toward the end of his career, however, his political associations excluded him from public and grand ducal commissions.  Portraiture became his mainstay. His busts are classically inspired but retain a sentimentalism that distinguishes his sculpture from his contemporary, Antonio Canova.  Bartolini executed a series of portraits of Napoleon's family. The present portrait of Joseph Bonaparte, most likely modelled while both artist and patron were in Florence, is all'antica exposing a bare chest without drapery.  There is a gesso of the present modelled housed in the collection of Museo dell'Accademia, Florence.

Joseph Bonaparte was Napoleon's older brother, who was annointed King of Naples, Sicily, Spain and the Indies.  After his brother's defeat in 1815, Joseph fled to the United States where he settled at Point Breeze, New Jersey, which became a centre for French expatriates in the United States. It was at the end of his life that he returned to Florence.  Joseph was an avid art collector, however, war and financial misfortune made it hard for him to hold on to the works he acquired.

RELATED LITERATURE
G. Girod de l'Ain, Joseph Bonaparte (Paris, 1970); Cultura neoclassica e romantica nella Toscana granducale exh. cat., ed. S. Pinto (Florence, 1972); C. Del Bravo, Il genio di Lorenzo Bartolini (Florence, 1977); Lorenzo Bartolini: Mostra delle attività di tutela exh. cat. (Prato, 1978)