19th century French school after Jean-Antoine HOUDON (1741-1828) Portrait of Louise Brongniart (1772-1845) Model created in 1777 Bust in white Carrara marble Signed "HOUDON" on the back H. 48 cm, standing on a turquoise-blue marble pedestal Related works : -Jean-Antoine Houdon, Louise Brongniart (1772-1845), daughter of the architect Alexandre Théodore Brongniart (1739-1813), 1777, terracotta, H. 34.5 cm, Paris, Musée du Louvre, inv. RF 1197 ; -Jean-Antoine Houdon, Louise Brongniart, 1777, marble, H. 37.7 x W. 25.3 x D. 19.5 cm, Washington, National Gallery, inv. 1942.9.124. The model for this charming bust of Louise Brongniart at the age of five, presented at the Salon of 1777 as a counterpart to that of her brother Alexandre Brongniart, is part of a body of work by Houdon on the theme of the child's face. The artist's models included his three daughters, Sabine, Anne-Ange and Claudine. Following the success of this type of portrait at the Salon, Houdon had several copies made in his studio in plaster, terracotta and marble, with variations in cut, costume and hairstyle.