Bust

Object Name:

Bust

Object ID:

1891.001

Date:

1800-1900

Description:

Bust of Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834). Plaster. Life-size bust of man; head turned toward subject's right; no circular base; hollow; bottom covered with plaster except for small opening at center; horizontally ribbed surface on reverse below shoulders. Pupils and iris of eyes defined. Wearing a pigtail wig with "pigeon winged" toupee; a coat with stand collar, epaulettes; and lapels which are buttoned open; a vest with stand collar; and a ruffled shirt with neckcloth or stock. Inscribed on truncated lower surface of right arm, entirely in lower case lettering: "houdon / an(?) 1790," superimposed over "houdon / fec" inscribed at different angle. Hole drilled in top of head. Loose pieces of plaster inside. Several small chips in plaster; larger ones in ruffle and on top of head. Much worn coat of white paint; traces of former red (terracotta color) paint. Large repair on subject's left lapel. With separate turned wooden base on square plinth, painted black; with brass plaque lettered "Lafayette / Houdon".

Material:

Plaster

Dimensions:

H-26.25 W-23.5 D-11.9 inches

Provenance:

A cast of the 1790 bust of Lafayette that stands over the entrance to the Assembly Hall at Versailles and has somewhat "questionable" double Houdon signature. Acquired in France by donor who mistakenly believed the Versailles original to be that given to the City of Paris by the State of Virginia. One other plaster cast known. See accession file for details.

Exhibited in the central niche of the upper rotunda at the time of the dedication of NHHS's Park Street building in 1911.

Credit Line:

Gift of Benjamin A. Kimball

People:

Lafayette, Marquis de (1757-1834), Kimball, Benjamin Ames (1833-1920)

Subjects:

Lafayette, Marquis de, Sculpture