Barthélémy-François CHARDIGNY (1757-1813)

Urania teaching astronomer Eratosthenes of Alexandria to measure the Earth's circumference Circa 1808. Bronze bas-relief with light brown patina. 12.5 x 56.5 cm Related works : -Jean-Antoine Lepine, André Galle, Pendule Uranie, bronze, H : 65 x L : 21 cm, Compiègne, château, inv. C2017.005 ; -Pendule Uranie, 19th century, H: 89 x W: 60 x D: 27 cm, Fontainebleau, château, inv. F88.C. This scholarly relief was created by Barthélémy-François Chardigny, a pupil of Augustin Pajou and Christophe Gabriel Allegrain, Grand Prix de Rome in 1782. Despite his talent and strong character, Chardigny's career had its ups and downs, forcing him to accept collaboration with certain watchmakers. He was probably responsible for the entire design of a famous clock in association with the bronzemaker André Galle (1761-1844) and watchmaker Jean-Antoine Lepine (1720-1814), featuring Uranie ou l'Astronomie, commissioned by the imperial furniture repository for the emperor's cabinet. The bas-relief presented here is based on the one on the base of this prestigious clock.