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Anatomical study (Houdon's studio, late 18th century)
In Rome. the young Houdon was given the opportunity to study human anatomy extensiveley thanks to a surgeon. In 1767, he modelled the famous L'écorché, an anatomical study of a flayed male which allowed the muscles to be observed in detail. Soon afterwards. every self-respecting academy in Europe had a copy of the sculpture which was freely reproduced in countless versions.
Material: Polyresin
Height: 25 cm
Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828)
As the talented son of a caretaker at one of the many stately homes in Versailles, Houdon escaped his milieu by studying hard and winning a scholarship to attend the French Academy in Rome in 1764. There he sculpted his first masterpiece, a large, regal portrait of Saint Bruno.
In 1768 he relocated to Paris were he grew to be one of the most famous portraiists of this time with clients from all over Europe. In 1781, he created the famous sculpture of a seated Voltaire, who - just like Houdon - was a member of the influental Lodge of the Nine Sisters.
Today, Houdon is still famous for his potraits of the earliest American leaders such as Washington and Jefferson. Commissions he received thanks to his friendship with Benjamin Franklin.
Houdon's life ended on a sour note. Althought he enthusiastically subscribed to the revolution's principes, his contacts with the 'ancient régime meant he was never trusted. After the restoration, his Neo-Classicist style was viewed as dated.
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