AFTER GAETANO MERCHI (ITALIAN, 1747-1823), 19TH CENTURY

Originally from Brescia, Gaetano Merchi left Italy for Saint Petersburg where he found himself under the patronage of Empress Catherine II. In 1777, he traveled to Paris where he studied at the Académie Royale of Painting and Sculpture and became known for his portraits of famous contemporary actresses, like the subject of our present lot, Marie-Madeleine Guimard. A star of the Parisian stage and one of the most notorious lovers of 18th century France, Mademoiselle Guimard is equally known today for her artistic legacy. A sitter for Fragonard and David, Guimard had a huge neo-classical palace designed for her in Paris by Claude-Nicholas Ledoux. A marble version of the current bust signed by Merchi with date 1779 is currently in the V&A (A.71-1952).