Terracotta By Fernand Cian (1889-1954). Bust Of The Comte d'Artois As A Child, Marble Base.

Fernand CIAN (1889, Carrara-1954).
Bust of the Comte d'Artois as a child.
Terracotta.
Signed on the back, with the date of 1770.
Pedestal in marble.
Good condition.
Total height: 46 cm.

Provenance
Former Jean-Claude Brialy collection.

History
Sculptor of Italian naturalized French origin, Fernand Cian made a specialty of busts of children made in the manner of the 18th century, notably reminiscent of Pajou, but he also produced some busts of musicians of the 19th century. He exhibited eleven times at the Paris Salon, under his original name Ciancianaini between 1907 and 1914, then as Cian until 1928, obtaining an honorable mention in 1921. The busts were signed with the name of the original artist, when it was a replica, or else his own name when he was the creator of an effigy. The dates, when present, always correspond to the 18th century. The works are of very good quality, can sometimes maintain a real illusion as to their age and are not pastiches. There are also two busts of Cian in the collections of the Louvre (bust of the Duke of Lesdiguières as a child) and the National Gallery in Washington.