Circle of Lorenzo Bartolini (1777-1850) Italian, circa 1808

bearing the signature: ANT. CANOVA. F. AN. / MDCCCVIII.

By repute, Château de Beaulieu, Machelen, Belgium;
private collection, Belgium

Overall, the condition of the marble is very good, with minor wear and some dirt to the surface consistent with age. There is minor veining to the marble, consistent with the material, including a very minor vein to the lady's proper left cheek and to the proper left side of the chest, and to the centre of the neck. There are naturally occurring inclusions, in particular to the chest, and a small inclusion to the lower lip and between the eyes. There is particular dirt to the back of the bust. There are minor chips, including to the fold of drapery between the breasts, to a ringlet of the hair on the proper left side of the face, and to the edges of the bust. The joint between the bust and the socle has been strengthened, in particular at the back. There is some whitish residue to the drapery, in particular at the shoulders. The marble column is in good condition overall. There are a few chips to the edges, and particularly to the corners of the square bases. There are some traces of plaster or white paint to the bottom of the yellow marble column, and there are a few small scuff marks to the column at the top.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This beautifully carved marble bust, bearing the signature 'Canova', must be the work of a talented sculptor from Antonio Canova's (1757-1822) following, as it is stylistically inconsistent with the master's oeuvre. In fact, the treatment of the hair is closer to Lorenzo Bartolini, who was appointed professor at the Accademia di Carrara by Napoleon in 1807 and enjoyed the patronage of the Bonaparte family, including Napoleon's sister, Elisa. A comparison with Bartolini's full-length portrait of Elisa Bonaparte now in Versailles (inv. no. MV 1539) is compelling not only on stylistic grounds but in terms of a facial similarity, suggesting the possibility that the present bust's sitter could be a member of the Bonaparte family.

RELATED LITERATURE
M. Tinti, Lorenzo Bartolini, vol. II, Rome, 1936, pl. VIII