Portrait Bust of M. de Neuville, Captain of Artillery and Comptroller General
On View In:
Gallery 317
Artist:   Jean-Jacques Caffieri  
Title:   Portrait Bust of M. de Neuville, Captain of Artillery and Comptroller General  
Date:   c. 1780  
Medium:   Marble  
Dimensions:   21 3/4 x 22 1/2 x 20 in. (55.25 x 57.15 x 50.8 cm)  
Credit Line:   The William Hood Dunwoody Fund  
Location:   Gallery 317  

The subject of this bust, M. de Neuville (1701-80), served as Captain of Artillery and a fermier général (general tax farmer or collector), one of a select group of men who collected taxes before the French Revolution. Jean Galliard de La Bouëxière, the original owner of the grand salon, was also a fermier général from 1722-58.

The sculptor, Jean-Jacques Caffieri, was born in Paris and studied there before winning the Prix de Rome in 1748. He stayed in Rome for four years before returning to Paris. Although he was a successful sculptor of allegories, he is best known for his lively and naturalistic portraits of influential Parisians, rivaling his younger contemporary, Jean-Antoine Houdon.

Artist/Creator(s)     
Name:   Caffieri, Jean-Jacques  
Nationality:   French  
Life Dates:   French, 1725-1792  
 

Object Description  
  
Inscriptions:    
Classification:   Sculpture  
Physical Description:   Caffieri, 'Portrait Bust of M. De Neuville', marble, French XVIIIc. cat. card dims H. 21' x W. 22'; base to bust stored as well 11-1/4' x 8' x 8'  
Creation Place:   Europe, France, , ,  
Accession #:   31.49  
Owner:   The Minneapolis Institute of Arts