Elisa and her Daughter Napoléonne
by BARTOLINI, Lorenzo, Marble, height 180 cm
The Italian sculptor Bartolini was brought to Carrara by Elisa, the sister of Napoleon, to execute there the first of those statues of women and children for which he was to be so much appreciated. The double portrait of mother and daughter revealed the qualities which brought him success, a naturalism in rendering figures allied to classicising idealism (mainly ornamental: coiffures, clothing).