Portrait of Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi

A writing at the back of this portrait of Napoleon sister's Elisa recites <bartolini direxit. bosio> identifying the name of the author of this work, Lorenzo Bartolini, and the one of the creator of its prototype, François Joseph Bosio. Elisa Bonaparte was a lover of the fine arts who favoured the young Tuscan artist for his Neoclassical style, which recalled XV century sculptures. The bust of the Grand Duchess of Tuscany was completed around 1810 and was highly appreciated by its commissioner for the aura of sovereignty it conveyed through the firm gaze, the erected bust and the thin neck.