A Vincennes figure of a reclining water-nymph
A Vincennes figure of a reclining water-nymph

CIRCA 1752, PERHAPS MODELLED BY LOUIS FOURNIER

Details
A Vincennes figure of a reclining water-nymph
Circa 1752, perhaps modelled by Louis Fournier
Modelled reclining naked against a coral-branch among folds of drapery on a rocky mound, resting on her right arm, her left hand drawing back the drapery with an elegant gesture, her hair tied with a ribbon, some pearl-entwined tresses falling onto her shoulder (crack through left wrist and chip to hand, minute chips to ribbon)
8 in. (21 cm.) long
Provenance
Peard y Fernandez Collection, sold Mme. Etienne Ader, Palais Galliera, Paris, 7th December 1960, lot 17.

Lot Essay

Cf. the examples sold Christie's, 30 June 1986, lot 195; 29 October 1973, lot 162 and 28 October 1963, lot 128. See also Antoinette Fa-Hall and Tamara Praud, op. cit., figs. 454 - 457 and Svend Eriksen & Geoffrey de Bellaigue, Svres Porcelain, Vincennes and Svres 1740-1800 (1987), pp. 200 et. seq. and pl. 12.

Two variations of this figure were modelled at Vincennes, this example, known as Baigneuse; the other being the nymph modelled with one arm draped over an urn issuing water, described in the literature as Baigneuse avec urne or Naade. Whether the model was intended to represent a specific goddess, a water-nymph or simply a decorative nude reclining figure is not entirely clear. According to to Fa-Hall and Praud, the model is based on Venus from Franois Boucher's 'Vnus et l'Amour' of 1742. However, the proliferation of semi-reclining scantily-draped Venuses, Dianas and nymphs in Boucher's oeuvre may mean that the Vincennes models were inspired by more than one source.

Louis Fournier, modeller at Vincennes 1746-1752.

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