I recently bought this bust, which stands about 18" high. I was pretty sure that he was Caesar Augustus, emperor of Rome, 27 BC - 14 AD.
But after I got him home, I started to wonder whether he might be an idealized likeness of Napoleon Bonaparte, emperor of France, 1804 - 1815 (of course images of Caesar Augustus were idealized, too).
One clue is that the fellow parted his hair right down the middle, and I don't recall Napoleon having done that.
A second clue is this interesting garment, which as a religious vestment would be a stole. I wonder what it would signify in ancient Rome? Who do you think this is, and can you tell me anything about his apparel?
 |
| constitutioncenter.org | muzecollection.de |
.
Hello Mark:
ReplyDeleteWe are completely unable to help where identity is concerned, but whoever he is, we think that he is absolutely splendid and thoroughly approve of his being placed on a plinth of books. Would that he were ours!!
Hello Jane and Lance:
DeleteNow that you mention it, I can now make excuses for the piles of books in my office/studio — each is but a plinth, just awaiting the appropriate scupture!
Hi Mark, It is Napoleon after the original by Antoine-Denis Chaudet, which also has the same strap-like thing around the neck. There are a number of versions and copies of this; Chiswick House in London has one by the sculptor Bertel Thorwaldsen.
ReplyDelete--Road to Parnassus
Hi, Jim - Thank you for your speedy identification! If the face had been a little squarer, I would have guessed it to be Napoleon, but it has been idealized beyond Chaudet's work and almost any personality, don't you think? Now I am on to researching Bertel Thorwaldsen ...
DeleteHello Mark, Parnassus has given us the answer. The mouth and soft chin certainly look like they belong to Napolen. We know he is not Andrea Palladio, but I do like the way you have your new treasure displayed. What a fabulous find!
ReplyDeleteHello Gina - I don't usually buy things on impulse, but this was one that I did. I would have loved to have fit him into my bookshelves, but he's just too big for that, so he'll probably reside in my studio, looking over my shoulder as I post.
DeleteDear Mark - I agree that it is Napoleon - he certainly liked to be depicted wearing the laurel wreath, the symbol of victory and triumph.
ReplyDeleteIs it made in Parian ware? which was used extensively for busts and figurines during the Victorian era. Copelands, Minton and Wedgwood all produced Parian ware.
The Victorians liked to display busts of notable people in their libraries (rather like you) and their music rooms as a sign of their interest in culture.
It is very nice, and you have some lovely books too!
Hi, Rosemary - I had actually hoped that the bust was of Caesar Augustus, all the better to fit into my Neoclassic scheme, but I am happy with him regardless. This is actually a contemporary piece, so there are bound to be many more.
DeleteDon't you love getting a peek at other people's bookshelves? I know I do. My books tend to fall into several categories — art history, classical architecture, political history & biography, interior decoration, and metaphysics.
I guess I'm late to the Napoleon party but sure looks tres current with his laurel faux-hawk. Is this an antique or vintage piece?
ReplyDeleteHi, Steve - He does have a bit of the Tintin look, doesn't he? As I said to Rosemary, this bust is contemporary. It appears to be made from a combination of resin and marble dust, and has the surface feel of real stone. I've shied away from sculpture reproductions in the past, but was attracted to this one.
DeleteVery nice. The blogosphere is a remarkable means of identfying artworks. Several years ago the Corinthian Column identified a "portrait of a young man" that we acquired as being a likeness of the poet Robert Burns, which it turns out it most obviously was. I would never have known had I not posted about the painting and asked my readers' opinions.
ReplyDeleteHello, Reggie - I quite agree. The great thing about Parnassus' identification is that I discovered that Chaudet also sculpted The Lion of Lucerne. I am of Swiss heritage and since our family has several copies of that piece, knowing more about the sculptor is a very nice bonus.
DeleteI like this latest addition to your varied collections, Mark. I would never have recognized him as Napoleon, though. Isn't it amazing how you can ask a question online and someone out there is bound to know the answer? I have to say I'm still not over being amazed by this.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I always thought Caesar Augustus was a hotty. Wouldn't have liked him in person, though. :)
It is amazing, isn't it?
DeleteAll the likenesses of Caesar Augustus do indicate that he was not hard on the eyes, but then he had a pretty good PR machine. I suspect that our image of him is about 70% accurate. :o)
Such an interesting transmutation in your newly acquired bust! One quick look, and of course it is Napoleon! The specific configuration of the laurel wreath alone loudly telegraphs that fact. But it is the facial features -- understandably leaving room for doubt in this identification -- that interestingly have morphed in this rendition from the sharp, almost chiseled features of the Corsican to a fleshier more self-indulged physiognomy (one wonders why on earth that shift!) leaving room to misinterpret the Roman Imperial identity. Through it all, it looks great in your study!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anon. Your interesting choice of words and the cadence of your sentences leads me to believe that I might know you.
DeleteI have 2 boys who are in love with history...fascinated by every period of time...they would just love your busts...looking at them, talking about them the whole nine yards..... I am learning stuff just because they talk about it so much.
ReplyDeleteI am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.
Dear Mom to Eight - I am looking at both your moniker and the very full picture of your family, and I am the one in awe. Thank you for visiting, and I wish you many happy returns!
DeleteLovely bust -but even lovlier library!! You must have quite the collection!
ReplyDeleteHi, Stefan - Two walls of my living room are floor-to-ceiling bookcases, and books overflow into other rooms. I resist stacking books on the floor, but it is inevitable!
Delete