Victor-Henri Marquis de Rochefort-Luçay
vor 1897
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H: 74,5 cm
Classification
Büste
Department
Belvedere Collection
Museum
Belvedere
Credit
Belvedere, Vienna
Accession Number
2476
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
"Henri Rochefort, eigentlich Victor-Henri, marquis de Rochefort-Luçay, (* 31. Januar 1830 in Paris; 13. Juni 1913 in Aix-les-Bains) war ein französischer Schriftsteller, Journalist, Theaterdichter und Politiker. 1863 Herausgeber des Figaro, führender Gegner Dreyfus'; typischer Vertreter des polemischen Pamphlets.
Art Historical Context
Auguste Rodin's bronze bust of Victor-Henri, Marquis de Rochefort-Luç, captures the essence of one of 19th-century France's flamboyant and controversial figures. Created before 1897, this 74.5 cm tall sculpture stands as a testament to Rodin's of portraiture, where he infused classical bust traditions with impressionistic vitality. Rochefort (1830–1913), a Parisian-born writer, journalist, playwright, and politician, rose to prominence as editor of *Le Figaro* in 1863 and became a leading voice in polemical pamphlets, fiercely opposing the Dreyfus Affair. Rodin's choice of bronze—a durable medium he favored for its rich patina and ability to convey texture—highlights Rochefort's aristocratic poise and intellectual intensity. The bust, now in Vienna's Belvedere Collection, exemplifies Rodin's technique of modeling from life, emphasizing dynamic surfaces and psychological depth over idealized smoothness. This work not only immortalizes a dandyish provocateur but also reflects the turbulent cultural politics of Belle Époque France, where art intersected with public debate. Visitors will appreciate how Rodin transformed a simple bust into a vivid character study, bridging personal portraiture with broader historical drama.
About the Artist
Auguste Rodin · 1840–1917
François Auguste René Rodin (1840-1917) stands as the founder of modern sculpture, transforming the art form from academic tradition into expressive modernism. Born into a working-class Parisian family, Rodin faced early rejection, failing three times to gain admission to the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts. This setback forced him to work as a craftsman for nearly two decades, though his 1875 tr...