La Frileuse from Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828)

Late 19th century (circa 1880) bronze statue of "La Frileuse", a famous work by sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon. Signed on the base, this version depicts the young girl standing next to a cut tree (variant). Edited most probably by Barbedienne (height referenced in his production and base assembly parts specific to this foundry), this "Frileuse" in a beautiful state of presentation benefits from remarkable chasing, the dark brown patina with slight age imperfections is original. The total height indicated includes the base.
Jean-Antoine Houdon was born in Versailles in 1741. At the age of fifteen, he entered the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, winning a silver medal in his first year. A talented student, he spent four years at the Académie de France in Rome. In 1775, his studio was set up in Paris on rue Richelieu, in a building belonging to the King's library. The original marble version of La Frileuse was created in 1783, and a bronze version was exhibited at the Salon of 1791. Awarded a gold medal by Napoleon for his works exhibited at the Salon of 1804, this sculptor was one of the greatest artists of his time. Professor and rector at the Ecole Spéciale de Peinture et Sculpture, he was named Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 1817 and Professor Emeritus in 1823.