Marble relief portrait of a classical male

Circle of Antoine Coysevox (Lyons, 1640-1720, Paris)
Relief portrait of a classical male
French, circa 1700
Marble, in an original grey marble frame
35 cm. / 13 ¾ ins high (the relief) / 50 cm. high x 41 cm. wide incl. frame

PROVENANCE:
Christie's, King Street, 500 Years: Decorative Arts Europe, London, 10 December 2009

This fine marble relief exemplifies the sophisticated style of sculpture prevalent in France during the reign of Louis XIV, combining the dramatic energy of Bernini’s Roman Baroque with the cool classicism of the emerging Neoclassical style. It finds close parallels both in style and execution with the oeuvre of Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720), whose workshop executed numerous portrait reliefs for royal and aristocratic patrons.