Head of a Bearded Elder, 1768, French, probably Paris, Terracotta on a bleu turquin marble socle, Overall, without socle (confirmed): 14 1/4 x 12 1/8 x 9 1/2 in. (36.2 x 30.8 x 24.1 cm), Sculpture-Miniature, Augustin Pajou (French, Paris 1730–1809 Paris), The precise meaning of this bristling elder remains to be determined. Suggestions for his identity have ranged from Aristotle to Moses to a retired pugilist. The work fits within the French academic tradition of modeling heads to express various passions, but which could this belligerent character personify? Barely controlled rage, perhaps, but what does the mantle connote? The ancient marbles that are most like the head in conveying crossness and contempt represent philosophers of the Cynic school, but they do not wear mantles
Keywords:
Head, Bearded Elder, 1768, French, Paris, Terracotta, bleu turquin marble socle, Overall, socle, confirmed, 14 1/4 x 12 1/8 9 1/2, 36.2 30.8 24.1 cm, Sculpture-Miniature, Augustin Pajou, 1730–1809, precise, meaning, bristling elder, remains, determined, Suggestions, identity, ranged, Aristotle, Moses, retired pugilist, work fits, within, French academic, tradition, modeling heads, express various, passions, belligerent character, personify?, Barely, controlled, rage, perhaps, mantle connote?, ancient marbles, head, conveying crossness, contempt represent, philosophers, Cynic school, do, wear mantles
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