Important Bronze Bust Of Napoleon I By Renzo Colombo / Bonaparte Sculpture / Empire

Magnificent and imposing bronze bust of Napoleon I, signed Renzo COLOMBO (R. Colombo) and dated 1885.
It is presented on a marble base.
Superb brown patina.
Edition from the last quarter of the 19th century or the beginning of the 20th century.
Excellent general condition.
Powerful and determined expression of the emperor who we imagine leading a battle.
The sculpture presented here for sale is the most luxurious version offered at the time. Indeed, this bust was sold in several sizes -- the largest was, as here, 57 centimeters high. In addition, the imperial eagle was optional.
Dimensions:
Total height including marble base: 60 cm
Height of bronze bust alone: 57 cm
Width: 36 cm
Depth: 28 cm
Height of base: 3 cm
sculpture weights approximately 25 kg.
Born in Milan, Italy, in 1856, Renzo Colombo studied sculpture with Giuseppe Knoller at the Brera School of Fine Arts before continuing his studies in Florence in 1878 and then in Genoa. Finally, Renzo Colombo settled in Paris in the early 1880s and exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1883, 1884 and 1885 where he presented his famous bust of Napoleon. He became artistic director of the Musée Grévin in Paris in 1884 and died in 1885.
Reference in the specialized literature: • Les Bronzes du XIXe Siècle: Dictionnaire des Sculpteurs, Pierre Kjellberg, 1994, p. 220 Renzo Colombo. The