LEMOYNE, Jean-Baptiste II
(b. 1704, Paris, d. 1778, Paris)

Bust of Mademoiselle Clairon

1761
Terracotta
Comédie-Française, Paris

Lemoyne's first exhibited portrait busts were in his favourite medium of terracotta and were shown at the Salon of 1738. Over the years Lemoyne's technique hardly altered. What altered with each sitter was the concept of the bust, altering apparently effortlessly as the sculptor placed himself before an unparalleled range of society.

The bust of Mademoiselle Clairon, shown at the Salon of 1761 (the year it is dated), expresses inspiration; she is in the guise of the Tragic Muse, though arguably appears not tragic enough.