18th Century French Patinated Bronze Marie Antoinette Bust Signed F. Lecomte

$6,400

About

This elegant bust of Marie Antoinette was sculpted in Paris, France, circa 1790. The sculpture, signed in the back by French sculptor Lecomte, depicts the queen with her elaborate well-known coiffure, numerous Fleur-de-Lys on her dress, and a Louis XVI portrait medallion around her neck. The original bust by Lecomte was in the chateau of Versailles, in the queen bedroom. The figure is in excellent condition with exquisite work in terms of style, execution, and quality, and adorns a wonderful and rich patinated finish.
Félix Lecomte (1737-1817) was a French sculptor from the second half of the 18th century; he was a student of Falconnet and Antoine Vasse. After getting consecutive second price at the Prix de Rome, he finally won first price in 1758. In 1771, he was elected into the French Academy, then became “Professor” in 1792. When he returned to Paris in 1810, he was accepted by the Academy thanks especially to his group sculpture in marble Œdipe et Phorbas (Oedipus and Phorbas). His most well known achievement was his sculpture of Marie Antoinette which was in the queen bedroom in the chateau of Versailles. Listed in the Benezit.
Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) was born in Vienna, Austria. Upon her marriage to King Louis XVI in 1770, she became Queen of France and of Navarre. She played a part in provoking the unrest that led to the French Revolution and the overthrow of the French monarchy in August 1792. She was beheaded on the Place de la Concorde on October 16, 1793, by order of the Revolutionary tribunal, nine months after the king was executed.
Measures: 11.5″W x 6.5″D x 21″H.

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