The Bather by Falconet - The Louvre, Paris

The Bather (La Baigneuse)   26" H Bonded White Marble on Marble Base $710 (less Internet discount of $64) = $646 (freight $26) The Bather (La Baigneuse)    64" H (220 lbs.) Bonded White Marble Without Base $6,000 (less Internet discount of $800) = $5,200 (freight collect) For Large Bonded Marble Drum Base, See Pedestal Section Large Fluted Drum Base 19" H (112 lbs.) $2,600 (less Internet discount of $400) = $2,200

Venus was an enormously popular subject for eighteenth century French art. Falconet portrayed his Bather in the Hellenistic manner of a Venus preparing for the ritual bath. That the figure is associated with Venus may be seen by the seashell on the base. The inspiration of Greek statuary is obvious but it must be pointed out that this is also a pretty eighteenth century woman, a woman who represents Falconet's ideal of womanhood. Slender waist, ankles, wrists: smooth body with delicate breasts combine to accentuate the grace and refined movement of the figure. The narrow neck band of the chemise and the neatly arranged coiffure were fashions of the period. Who was the lady? Probably mademoiselle Mistouflet who was closely associated with Falconet perhaps his mistress. This item is imported from Italy. It is the same as that previously available from Eleganza in Seattle.