A RUSSIAN PATINATED BRONZE BUST OF NAPOLÉON, BY WISCHNEVSKY, CIRCA 1890

The present bust representing the French Emperor Napoléon I (1769-1821) wearing his uniform with epaulets and decorations was cast by one of the most reputed foundries in Moscow co-owned by three brothers Evgeny, Lev and Felix Wischnevsky (or Vishnevsky).

The bronze factory of the Wischnevsky brothers was located at 4-6 Olkhovskaya Street, and later on at 12 Ladozhskaya Street, Moscow. Their factory enjoyed great success throughout Russia in the late 19th century and early 20th century, until 1917 when the foundry ceased activity. From chandeliers, candelabra, mantel clocks to sculptures, their production can be distinguished for their excellent craftsmanship and the richness and finesse of their decorative finishes. Their works were also largely influenced by the work of the French bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire and more generally by the French Empire style of the early 19th century, as the present example displays.

In the beginning of the 20th century, the Wischnevsky brothers became suppliers to the Imperial Court. Moreover, the brothers successfully contributed to several great exhibitions of the 19th century century and received medals: in 1892 receiving a gold medal from the Imperial Russian Technical Society, in 1896 receiving the gold medal at the All-Russian Art and Industrial Exhibition and in 1900 receiving a gold medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle.