ATELIER DES FRÈRES ROSSET,

Lot 249
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Estimation :
2000 - 3000 EUR
ATELIER DES FRÈRES ROSSET,
Portrait of Voltaire (1694-1778) Small life bust in ivory Signed "Rosset F.(ecit)" below the shoulder H. 10 cm On a grey marble base H.6,5 cm (Small accident on the left rear corner of the base, cracks) RELATED LITERATURE Marie-Liesse Dulau, Un atelier jurassien au temps des Lumières, les Rosset. Sculpteurs, ivoiriers et peintres comtois à Saint-Claude dans le Jura au XVIIIe siècle, PhD thesis, University of Strasbourg, 2013. The famous Jurassian workshop of the Rossets, located in Saint-Claude, was founded by François-Joseph Rosset (1706-1786) and was perpetuated by his five sons. They are mainly known for their production of ivory portraits. The meeting between Joseph Rosset and Voltaire on the occasion of the latter's installation in the castle of Ferney in 1765 is decisive. For the first time, the man of letters agrees to pose for an artist in order to have his portrait made. Voltaire appreciated the intimacy and sincerity of Joseph Rosset's style. The portrait of the writer became one of the major works of the sculptor's production. Our small bust in ivory is distinguished by its very accomplished quality of execution. We find here the vivacity of the eyes and the sparkling smile of Voltaire's more intimate busts. The philosopher's costume, with a finely sculpted shirt, wrapped in a drape and wearing a wig, corresponds to a more social presentation such as we find in his full-length portraits.
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