After Gaetano Marchi, Italian, 1747-1823, a terracotta bust of Mademoiselle Marie-Madeleine Guimard, 19th century, inscribed Merchi 179., her veiled hair brushed up and back and decorated with leaves, on a waisted socle, damages and losses, 71cm high Note: Originally from Brescia, Gaetano Merchi left Italy for Saint Petersburg where he found himself under the patronage of Empress Catherine II. In 1777, he travelled to Paris where he studied at the Académie Royale of Painting and Sculpture and became known for his portraits of famous contemporary actresses, such as the subject the current lot, Marie-Madeleine Guimard. A star of the Parisian stage and one of the most notorious lovers of 18th century France, Mademoiselle Guimard is equally known today for her artistic legacy. A sitter for Fragonard and David, Guimard had a huge neo-classical palace designed for her in Paris by Claude-Nicholas Ledoux. A marble version of the current bust signed by Merchi with date 1779 is currently in the V&A (A.71-1952).Please refer to department for condition report