Patinated bronze antique French bust of a lady after Houdon

This fine patinated bronze sculpture bust depicts a half-length female figure looking to her right side. She sports long flowing hair, while her arms are braced to hide her breast revealed by her falling dress, the manner of which recalls the Venus Pudica.

The sculpture, which is after an original by the Neoclassical sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon, is set on a socle above a square plinth. The reverse is signed ‘Rieuse de Houdon’.