French school of the 18th century after François Duquesnoy (1597-1643) Bust of the Virgin Gilt bronze H : 15 cm (bust), with pedestal H : 21 cm ; base H : 8.7 cm Wear, probably reassembled later Related works : - François Duquesnoy, Buste de la Vierge, bronze, H : 20.5 cm, London, Victoria & Albert Museum, inv. A.84-1956 ; - François Duquesnoy, Buste de la Vierge, bronze, H : 18,5 cm, Copenhagen, Statens Museum for Kunst, inv. 5556. Related literature: Marion Boudon-Machuel, François du Quesnoy (1597-1643), Paris, Arthena, 2005, pp. 217-223. This bust of the Virgin is a counterpart to a bust of the Christ child by François Duquesnoy. The original terracottas, used for the silver casting, belonged to Cardinal Francesco Barberini; the sculptor's models are known today thanks to the numerous bronze copies. The expression and the attitude of the Virgin can be compared to those of the Bust of Saint Susanna made between 1633 and 1635.