Clément Rousseau

An unusual work by Clément Rousseau, departing from the shagreen furniture for which he is most often associated during this period, this relief sculpture marks a periodic return to classical sculpture for the artist. Originally trained as a sculptor by Léon Morice at the École des Beaux-Arts of Angers, Rousseau pays homage through the present lot to the provincial French city where he studied. This finely executed piece indeed depicts what appears to be the castle and cathedral of Angers in the background together with a young lady at the forefront wearing a traditional hairdo from the region. Little to no information is known about this piece which brings to light Rousseau's multifaceted talents and incredibly prolific practice.