Bust of king Louis XIV in plaster by Mathurin Moreau (1822-1912)

Mathurin Moreau (1822-1912)), after antoine coysevox
Bust of king Louis XIV
Important bust in patinated plaster, resting on a square section pedestal.
Circa 1862.
Slight losses and restorations.
H. 98 x L. 77 cm.

History
This plaster was made after the famous marble bust of Antoine Coysevox from 1679 appearing at the Palace of Versailles in the King's bedroom, of which another version from 1681 perhaps even closer to ours was originally found. in the Escalier des Ambassadeurs. Unsigned, we know however that it came from an order from Antoine de Noailles, 5th Duke of Mouchy (1841-1909) to Mathurin Moreau in 1862, following the substantial redevelopments of the Renaissance castle of Mouchy-le-Châtel (Oise ) realized under the direction of the architect Hyppolite-Alexandre Destailleurs (1822-1893). The archives of the Château de Mouchy attest to this, as does a photograph of the period from the collections of the Dukes of Mouchy, which allows us to see this bust in situation in one of the living rooms of the château (ill. 4). It rests on a Boulle style sheath from the Second Empire period.

Biography
Mathurin Moreau (Dijon, 1822-Paris, 1912) is a French sculptor renowned for his statuary art, spread throughout the world through his collaboration with the foundries of the Val d'Osne, in particular his cast iron fountains with patina bronze in public squares in major cities around the world. Its active production dates from the second half of the 19th century, in the purest academic style of the time.

Provenance
- Collection of the Dukes of Mouchy.
- Then by descent.