Auguste Masson (paris 1802-1870), Saint Cecilia (circa 1860)

AUGUSTE MASSON (Paris, 1802-1870)
Saint Cecilia
Circa1860
Bronze bas-relief, partly polychromed
35 x 45 cm
Signed lower left: A. MASSON
Literature: Stanislas Lami, Dictionary of sculptors of the French School in the nineteenth century. T. III. G.-M. (Paris 1919), p. 81-82
Related works: Medallion representing Ferdinand Thénard. Plaster, 26.5 x 22.5 cm. Signed and dated: A. Masson Sc. / 1863. Paris, Musée Carnavalet (inventory number: S1587)

Auguste Masson was a Parisian sculptor born in 1804, and little known today. However, Stanislas Lami wrote an entry on him his Dictionnaire des sculpteurs, while the Carnavalet Museum in Paris has a medallion by Masson representing his fellow artist Ferdinand Thénaud, dating from 1863. His bas-relief of Saint Cecilia shows a lovely and unusual use of colour with the contrast of the bronze, the gold of the halo, and the deep red of the background. The patron saint of music has a classical but soft profile, and her hair, which is very beautifully done, is dressed with lilies. It seems to me that Masson was influenced by the bas-relief of 'Saint Cecilia', which was very famous in the 19th century, and which was thought at the time to be by Donatello.