Napoleon

This bronze bust of Napoleon Bonaparte was made after a terracotta bust of Napoleon by Jean-Antoine Houdon, of 1806. The bust follows closely the Houdon portrait, but with the addition of the wreath, and the omission of the irises of the eyes. The bust is cast in several pieces, the cast marks not removed.

Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1823) is universally recognized as the greatest European portrait sculptor of the last half of the 18th century. He excelled in penetrating portrayals of the great intellectual, military, and political figures of the Enlightenment, as well as portraits of children. He was also masterly in conveying textiles and other textures in carved marble.