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Portrait of Christoph Willibald Gluck, c. 1775 (terracotta on marble base)
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Portrait of Christoph Willibald Gluck, c. 1775 (terracotta on marble base)
500096 Portrait of Christoph Willibald Gluck, c.1775 (terracotta on marble base)
by Houdon, Jean-Antoine (1741-1828); h:49.50 w:40.00 d:28.50 with base h:64.00 w:39.30 d:28.10 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: A well-known composer of the 1700s, Gluck reformed opera by bringing unprecedented simplicity and sincerity to his music and staging, qualities shared by Houdons bust. Unlike the other sculptures in this gallery, which idealize their subjects, this portrait, by depicting Glucks pockmarked face, was perceived as a natural and truthful representation. Yet, he would never have appeared publicly with unkempt hair and an open collar, which constituted the standard for representing an artist.
inscribed in plaster fill in back at bottom: Houdon FT 177[4?]. Since this inscription was clearly added after the terracotta was fired, it cannot be considered a signature.
); Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund; French, out of copyright
Media ID 23553816
© Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the exquisite terracotta sculpture of Christoph Willibald Gluck, created by renowned artist Jean-Antoine Houdon in approximately 1775. The portrait, displayed on a marble base, is currently housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio, USA. Gluck was a prominent composer during the 18th century and is best known for his revolutionary reforms in opera. He brought unprecedented simplicity and sincerity to his music and staging, qualities that are beautifully captured in Houdon's bust. Unlike other sculptures of that time which idealized their subjects, this portrait presents Gluck with all his imperfections - including his pockmarked face - resulting in a natural and truthful representation. Interestingly, it is worth noting that while this depiction may seem casual with unkempt hair and an open collar, it does not reflect how Gluck would have appeared publicly. Artists typically portrayed musicians with such informality to signify their artistic temperament rather than adhering to conventional standards. The inscription "Houdon FT 177[4?]" found on the back of the sculpture adds intrigue but cannot be considered as a signature since it was added after firing the terracotta. Overall, this remarkable artwork captures both the essence of Christoph Willibald Gluck as well as Jean-Antoine Houdon's exceptional talent for creating lifelike representations.
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