Jeanne Catherine Offhuys in Brussels, Belgium

myminifactory

This is a plaster bust depicting Jeanne Catherine Offhuys, the wife of the sculptor of the piece, Gilles-Lambert Godecharle. The erotic revealing of the breasts and juxtaposition of the pure and innocent face of Jeanne can clearly show the intimate relationship between sitter and sculptor. Gilles-Lambert Godecharle (2 December 1750 in Brussels − 24 February 1835 in Brussels) was a Belgian sculptor, a pupil of Laurent Delvaux, "the only sculptor of international repute in Delvaux's retinue", who became one of two outstanding representatives of Neoclassicism in the Austrian Netherlands. In response to his early promise, empress Maria Theresa awarded him a stipend that enabled him to travel for his studies, first to Paris, then to Rome. He received official commissions under Napoleon and under William I of the Netherlands. His pediment sculptures for the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate of the Austrian Netherlands, now the Belgian Federal Parliament, Brussels, (1781–82) are his most prominent public commission, represented today by a careful copy following his models conserved at the Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, Brussels but by far the greatest part of his output was in portrait busts. His son Napoleon Godecharle bequeathed an important part of the family fortune to the City of Brussels, to establish the Prix Godecharle for painters, sculptors and architects.      This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open source, community effort, if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.