Félicité Sophie de Lannion, Duchesse de La Rochefoucauld, at the Age of 29 Years (1745–1830) 1774

This is a marble bust of Félicité Sophie de Lannion, Duchesse de La Rochefoucauld, at the Age of 29 Years, crafted by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne the Younger. The sculpture immediately strikes us with its smooth texture and balanced asymmetry. Notice how the artist masterfully employs line and volume to convey both the physical likeness and the noble status of the sitter. The curves of her coiffure and dress contrast with the straight lines of her neck and the base, creating a visual rhythm that draws the eye. Consider the use of marble as a material, its inherent coolness and association with classical antiquity. The texture captures the softness of skin and fabric, bringing a sense of life to the stone. Lemoyne uses these elements to create a visual language, a set of signs, which speak to power, beauty, and the enduring nature of art itself. The sculpture serves as a reminder that art is not merely representation; it is a complex interplay of form, material, and cultural meaning.