Gaetan Merchi (1747-1823) attribué à :

Gaetan MERCHI (1747-1823), attributes to : Bust representing Marie-Madeleine Guimard (Paris 1743-1816). She was one of the most famous dancers of the second half of the 18th century. She had several lovers among the most influential men of the time such as Jean-Benjamin de Laborde who was the first valet of the king. This allowed her to be admitted to dance for the king who gave her a pension of 1500 pounds. She amassed a considerable fortune and received sumptuous gifts from her suitors. She was also a patron of the arts and favoured the careers of several artists, including Fragonard. "She did only simple steps but with such graceful movements that the public preferred her to any other dancer" said Elisabeth VIGÉE-LEBRUN. Marie-Madeleine Guimard however dominated French dance for more than 25 years. She danced in front of Louis XV and Louis XVI, the Court in Versailles or Fontainebleau, and was famous in about fifty ballets. We know to date two models visible, Museum of Fine Arts in Tours and the Opera Garnier in Paris. Terracotta resting on a circular base. Late 18th - early 19th century Height : 70 cm