Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau
1778; signed and dated Houdon fecit 1778; Jean-Antoine Houdon
(Versailles, 1741 - Paris,1828)

This is a bust of the great French philosopher and writer made in the last year of his life and is one of about 150 portraits made by Houdon of his famous contemporaries.

Here, as in his other works, Houdon has conveyed a subtle psychological analysis of his subject, while from the sculptural point of view it is a clear and convincing portrait.