Antoine Etex, Bust Of Odilon Barrot (1844)

ANTOINE ÉTEX (Paris 1808 - Chaville 1888)
Bust of Odilon Barrot
1844
Plaster H. 23 cm
Signed: ETEX

“Of the four busts that Mr. Etex exhibited, the busts of Mr. Sapey and Mr. Odilon Barrot are the most remarkable. Mr. Étex, for whom the difficulties of execution do not seem to exist, strives above all to capture the intellectual expression of the model and to show us the character with the help of the physiognomy. The busts of MM. Sapey and Odilon Barrot have not only a very real likeness, they are also perfectly living. This is indeed the fine and thoughtful physiognomy of the political tactician (Odilon Barrot), like the somewhat Olympian look of the orator who is about to unleash the thunderbolts of his speech. The bust of Mme Adolphe Barrot, by the same artist, shows the flexibility of his talent. We would perhaps have liked a little more study in the headbands and in general throughout the upper part of the head, which seems to us to be treated with too masterful a simplicity."  (F. De La Faloise in the Revue de Paris, 1844, p. 211)

Antoine Étex exhibited the marble version of Odilon Barrot (location unknown) at the Salon of 1844. Étex and the politician were good friends.