Bust, Alegoría de la risa siguiendo Pigalle - 30 cm - Terracotta

Terracotta bust made in Italy in the 1940s. This sculpture follows the model of the 'Allegory of Laughter' by Jean Baptiste Pigalle (1714-1785), an important French neoclassical sculptor. It therefore exudes a classicist air directly inspired by Classical Antiquity. At the bottom, stamped with 'Made in Italy' alongside the engraved signature of the artist. It features a pedestal with wooden marquetry.

She is a smiling young woman, with sweet and delicate features. With her face turned to the side, the softness of her complexion stands out in contrast to her hairstyle, which is gathered in braids and finished with a bow. Her magnificent expression and the precision of the piece emphasize elegance and serenity—that is, moderation in expressions and feelings.

On the back, it is observed that the piece is hollow, one of the distinctive features of the working process with this type of material: terracotta or baked clay.

On the other hand, it should be noted that one of the most important aspects of neoclassical sculpture is its theme. It primarily drew from mythological stories, although it was also inspired by the prevailing arguments during Antiquity, such as civic and moral virtues embodied by allegories, as in this case, innocence and laughter embodied by a girl.

Brief biographical summary of Pigalle

Jean-Baptiste Pigalle (1714-1785) was an important French sculptor. He was an apprentice to the sculptor Robert Le Lorrain and also studied with Jean Baptiste Lemoyne, a sculptor appointed by Louis XV. He studied in Rome from 1736 to 1739. His most famous work is the classical statue of 'Mercury tying his wings' (1744). In 1744, he became a member of the Académie Royale. In 1752, Pigalle was appointed professor of this Academy. He enjoyed the protection of Madame de Pompadour from 1750 to 1758 and created the allegorical group 'Love and Friendship' for her in 1758. He gained popularity with smaller studies of children in the Rococo style, such as 'Child with Birdcage' (1750). Pigalle was a talented portrait sculptor, as evident in his 'Nude Voltaire' (1776) and his bust of Diderot (1777). His tomb of the Duke of Harcourt (1769-1776) and the tomb of the Count of Saxe (1753-1776) are beautiful examples of French sculpture.
Material: Terracotta
Period: 1940s
Country of origin: Italy
Good condition relative to its age and usage.
Sculpture dimensions: 30 x 23 x 21 cm.
Base dimensions: 6 x 24 x 24 cm.
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