Georges-Louis-Leclerc, Comte De Buffon 1773

This 1773 bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon depicts Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, a renowned French naturalist and writer known for his influential work *Histoire Naturelle*. The bust, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures Buffon's likeness with striking realism. Houdon, a master of Neoclassical portraiture, skillfully rendered Buffon's features, revealing his intellectual intensity and dignified presence. The bust's simple yet elegant form reflects the Neoclassical style, which emphasized clarity, order, and idealized beauty. This work provides a glimpse into the life of a prominent figure of the Enlightenment era, highlighting Houdon's mastery of portrait sculpture and his commitment to capturing the individual's character.