Bust of Jean Racine (1639-1699), French school 18th-19th century

The portrait of the playwright Jean Racine, who, along with Moliere and Pierre Corneille, was one of the main figures of the French 17th century literature.

The small busts meant to be placed on library shelves or desks were a highly appreciated genre since the 18th century. Writers busts were often produced in series. The portrait of Racine was frequently paired with that of Moliere (1622-1673) to represent two aspects of theater: Tragedy and Comedy.

These miniature busts often derived from the grand courtly busts created by renowned sculptors of the time, such as Houdon, Boizot, or Caffieri.

This bust fully belongs to this intellectual, cultured trend. It is excellently crafted, featuring highly pronounced plastic work and exhibiting both high-quality material and patina. It should be considered older than more common 19th-century versions, likely dating to the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.