237 - BUST OF MARSHAL OF THE EMPIRE ANDRÉ MASSÉNA, DUKE OF RIVOLI, PRINCE OF ESSLING (1756–1817)

BUST OF MARSHAL OF THE EMPIRE ANDRÉ MASSÉNA, DUKE OF RIVOLI, PRINCE OF ESSLING (1756–1817) Bronze cast from a model by François MASSON (1745–1807) A typical example of the Directoire style in the classical tradition. Mark of the foundry: “E. Jullien, 12 rue Pasquier, Paris” (active 1855–1880). Resting on a green marble column base. Second Empire period. H. 43 cm (28 cm without the pedestal). Related works Masson created three busts of Masséna; our classical-style model, depicting him as a general of the Directory, is the first; the second, in full Imperial Marshal’s uniform, was destroyed in the Tuileries fire (a copy of which is preserved at Versailles); and finally, a version derived from the first in the classical style but enhanced with the insignia of the Marshal’s rank (the Marshal’s epaulet bears the crossed batons of the Marshals of France; Osenat auction, November 15, 2015, lot 276). History André Masséna, born Andrea Massena, 1st Duke of Rivoli and Prince of Essling, was born on May 6, 1758, in Nice (then in the County of Nice in the Kingdom of Sardinia) and died on April 4, 1817, in Paris, was a French general of the Revolution and the Empire, elevated to the rank of Marshal of the Empire by Napoleon in 1804.