After Etienne Falconet.

After ETIENNE FALCONET, (Paris, France 1716 - 1791).
"La Baigneuse".
Sculpture in patinated resin. Exemplary 098/498.
Reproduction realized by Royal Art. With certificate of Kart H. Jureit of Royal Art.
Measurements: 34 x 7.5 x 9.5 cm.

La Baigneuse is one of the most iconic works of Etienne Maurice Falcone, repeated by both the author and his followers. The first copy was acquired before the sculptor finished his work on the piece. The resounding success of the sculpture led Falcone, who did not yet have official titles, to receive an offer to run the famous porcelain factory in Sèvres, under the supervision of Madame de Pompadour, the king's favorite. In time, Falcone also became her protégé and created several sculptures symbolizing Pompadour.

The Baigneuse is believed to capture the moment when a young woman transitions from girl to woman, displaying both sensuality and chastity. The fine lines of her slender body, along with a graceful foot that seems to touch the water, suggest the shy innocence of the bather. The subtle details in the marble, such as the slight trembling of the body before it comes into contact with the cold water, add a sense of vulnerability.

The sculptor portrays precisely the instant before the bath, when the bather cautiously extends her leg to test the temperature of the water with her toe. This elegant gesture was inspired by a painting by his master François Lemoine, known for his great decorative works such as the ceiling of the Salon d'Hercule at Versailles.