moss > Les Visiteurs d’ Été: Thomas Jefferson

AUG 20, 2008

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Alternate and detail:

Les Visiteurs d’ Été:
Thomas Jefferson

designer:
Jean-Antoine Houdon

design year:
1789

manufacturer:
Manufacture National de Sèvres, France

materials:
biscuit porcelain

notes:
Born in Versailles in 1741, Houdon was educated in Paris and Rome under French Royal sponsorship, and received the Prix de Rome at the age of 20. Houdon established his reputation with portrait busts that were lauded for their beauty and technical sophistication. During the tumultuous years leading up to the French Revolution, Houdon executed some of his finest, most compelling work, capturing the character of the men and women in France and America who defined the Age of Enlightenment.

While serving as Minister to France between 1784 and 1789, Thomas Jefferson made arrangements for Houdon to come to the United States, in order to portray George Washington. While in France, Jefferson also acquired ten to twelve terra-cotta and plaster busts of various people, including Benjamin Franklin, the Marquis de La Fayette, Voltaire, and other notable personages, to create a “gallery of worthies” for his estate at Monticello. Before leaving France, Jefferson sat for Houdon and took back with him several plaster casts of his own bust, allegedly to distribute amongst friends. The image of Jefferson that has appeared on the back of the U.S. nickel since 1938 was also based on Houdon’s bust.

dimensions:
height: 23”

price upon request