Venus In The Bath: Large Porcelain Biscuit. Late 19th Century.

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Large biscuit porcelain statue (the pair of candlesticks with rams' heads by Claude Galle framing it, already measures 30 cm) representing the famous subject of "Venus in the bath" also called "the bather" by the Parisian sculptor Christophe Gabriel Allegrain ( 1710-1795).
The novelty lies in its nudity and its sensuality, Allegrain does not hesitate to represent Venus with a real woman's body, with voluptuous and carnal curves. Her posture, slightly "figura serpentinata", her hand holding a drapery, her hair in braids and a bun, suggest a Mannerist influence from a bronze of the Venus Cesarini of 1583 by Jean de Bologna (Giambologna).

This statue is part of a long tradition of illustrating the goddess since ancient Greece. This movement accelerated following the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 1738 then 1748. Christophe Allegrain followed this new "fashion" by sculpting mythological scenes, allegorical subjects and figures.

Originally, the model of the Venus bathing was commissioned by the Marquis de Marigny, director general of the buildings of the Roy, for the castle of Choisy-le-Roi. The marble thus presented at the 1767 Salon caused a sensation: the rendering of chubby flesh crystallized the passions.
In 1772, Louis XV offered it to Madame du Barry for the Château de Louveciennes.
In 1824, she joined the collections of the Louvres after a stint at Versailles and the Luxembourg Palace.

This creation brought Allegrain to light. Until now, we only knew him for his reception piece. It is also speculated that his sister's alliance with Jean-Baptiste Pigalle would have facilitated this success.

In my opinion, we see, once again, the strong influences coming from the Italy of the Medici (Venus Cesarini, Venus Urania, Venus of Grotticella) and the discoveries of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The main theme of sculptures, paintings, decorative arts is clearly oriented towards mythology, antiquity, Etruscan.

Very good state of preservation.
Double L mark from the Manufacture de Sèvres.
Late 19th century period.

Dimensions
Height: 22,8 inches
Base diameter: 7,7 inches

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