Giuseppe Balsamo, Comte di Cagliostro 1786

This marble bust, sculpted by Jean-Antoine Houdon in 1786, depicts Giuseppe Balsamo, better known as the Comte de Cagliostro. The work is a realistic portrait capturing Cagliostro’s likeness with striking detail. Houdon, renowned for his neoclassical style, masterfully conveys the subject’s personality and the era's fashion through the sculpted drapery. This bust stands as a testament to Houdon’s skill and captures the intrigue surrounding Cagliostro, a controversial figure known for his alleged alchemical and mystical abilities.