Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne II (1704-1778), French, circa 1765

Daniel Katz Ltd., circa 1980

Overall the condition of the terracotta is very good. There is some minor wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age with some particular dirt in the crevices at the reverse. There are a few stable hairline firing fissures visible on the surface. There are a few small circular stains including at the sides of the neck.
"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."

The bold and seemingly effortless modelling of this lively portrait is characteristic of Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne's work in terracotta. It is clear from Réau's survey of Jean-Baptiste's busts (op.cit.) that the rounded truncation -which terminates just above the shoulder- is equally typical of his work. Even the turned wood socle appears regularly in the sculptor's terracotta portraits of France's nobility. 

The features of the sitter compare closely to the marble portrait bust of the Comte de la Tour d'Auvergne kept in the Liebighaus in Frankfurt (inv. no. 1467). Lemoyne did exhibit a terracotta bust of this prominent member of the French Court at the 1765 Salon (no. 189).

RELATED LITERATURE
L. Réau, Les Lemoyne. Une dynastie de sculpteurs au XVIIIe siècle, Paris, 1927, p. 147, no. 81 and p. 155, no. 37; Bildwerke der Barockzeit aus dem Liebighaus, Frankfurt am Main, 1963, no. 44/45