Hewetson in Rome (Part 11)

 

A Bust ascribed to Hewetson but I am doubtful.

A Terracotta Bust attributed to Christopher Hewetson.

with London and Leeds dealers the Tomasso Brothers in 2019.

https://issuu.com/artsolution/docs/importanteuropeantaerracottas?e=6637020/57694984

I think this is a fabulous bust but I am slightly doubtful of the attribution.

They say it has an Irish provenance.

The bust feels more French to me and it perhaps resembles the work of Defernex.

I am no expert when it comes to French portrait busts in terracotta

The use of the twin props at the back needs researching. Comparisons perhaps should be made with the props on the back of Hewetson's terracotta bust of  Francis Basset, Baron Dunstanville, and Henderson of Fordell. (see below).

I am assuming that the socle is a modern substitute.

The truncation and raking at the base is puzzling. 

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Previously HVMC Auctions Monte Carlo. Lot 119, from 9 December 2021.

https://hvmc.com/en/furniture-art-objects-paintings-asia/christopher-hewetson-1739-1798-attributed-to/

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The Terracotta Bust of Henderson of Fordell (1752 - 1817) by Christopher Hewetson.

From The Westmoreland.

"The English Prize"

It would be very useful to see photographs of the back for comparison.

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Francis Basset, Baron Dunstanville (1757 - 1835).

Christopher Hewetson.

Terracotta.

Museo de la Real Academia Bellas Artes San Fernando, Madrid.

Taken from the Captured English Ship The Westmorland.

https://www.academiacolecciones.com/esculturas/inventario.php?id=E-474

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Terracotta portrait bust of Anne-Marie Le Page, Madame Fiquet du Boccage (1710-1802) by Jean-Baptiste Defernex (1728-83).

British Museum.

Acquired by the BM in 1766.

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1766-0801-1