Sculpture

1790 · 14726 — 1790. Engraving. Proof before letters. Printed on laid paper. In excellent condition with the exception of two creased tears on the right margin. Tiny tear on top margin. Image size: 18 3/8 x 15 inches. A fine proof impression of Bouteloup's striking portrait of Marshal Turenne one of France's most celebrated military heroes.<br/> <br/>Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne Vicomte de Turenne was one of France's greatest military commanders. The son of the duc de Bouillon Turenne was born in Sedan in 1611. By the time of his death in 1675 Turenne had risen to the rank of Marshal of France after leading a career that inspired Napoleon to list him as one of France's most important captains. He showed his capabilities during the Thirty Years War when he distinguished himself with countless victories and played a pivotal role in the Dutch Wars under Louis XIV. He was killed at the battle of Sasbach in 1675 and his remains were later moved by Napoleon to Les Invalides in Paris. This triumphant engraving by Louis Alexandre Bouteloup reproduces a celebrated sculpture of Turenne by Robert Guillaume Dardel. Dardel was the pupil of Augustin Pajou but he did not become a member of the Academie Royale until 1791. He exhibited primarily at the Salon de Correspondence and since he was denied access to the royal marble his works are mostly modeled in terracotta and bronze. Dardel cast this commemorative bronze statue of Turenne for his patron Prince Louis-Joseph de Conde in 1785 and it is considered one of his most successful works. unknown books