Marked: Thiebaud Freres Fondeurs Paris (rear of self-base)
artist
As a student under Jouffrey, Falguière benefited from an enviable and respected education at The École des Beaux-Arts. Another student of Jouffrey was the notable sculptor Marius Jean Antonin Mercié. Falguière, himself also took Mercié under his tutelage, imparting his own talents and slightly more modern values to Mercié, fifteen years his junior as well as many other students.
Falguière’s education began by studying the classics, the influence of which can be seen even from his earliest works. Quickly he rose to recognition and made his debut at the Paris Salon in 1859. He received numerous awards for his work, among them the award for sculpture from the Exposition Universelle de Paris in 1867.
Falguiére’s works were met with much success and distinction during his career. An unmistakable quality persists in his works; each possesses a particular robustness and strength as well as a marked sense of assurance.
Description
The abstracted Head of Diana, not only showcase Falguière's technical dexterity but also exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit pervasive among French sculptors during the nineteenth century. In responding to the burgeoning demand from a growing middle-class market for art, artists like Falguière engaged in a practice of revisiting and reinterpreting their own works. This strategic approach not only sustained their artistic endeavors but also fostered a dynamic interplay between artistic innovation and market dynamics during a transformative period in the history of French sculpture.