Henri-Joseph RUTXHIEL (Lierneux, 1775 - Paris, 1837) Presumed bust of the King of Rome as a child Plaster with patina; the patina is slightly missing Signed 'Rutxhiel / f an 1813' on the back H. 42 cm (16 ¾ in.) Provenance: - Most likely Fanny Rousseau, governess to the King of Rome, sister-in-law of Jacques-Germain Soufflot ; - By descent to the current owner Patinated plaster bust of the King of Rome as a child by Henri-Joseph RUTXHIEL Henri-Joseph Rutxhiel was a pupil of Jean-Antoine Houdon and later of Philippe-Laurent Roland and Jacques-Louis David. He was awarded the Prix de Rome in 1809. He stayed in Italy until 1811, then returned to France where he modelled the bust of the 10-month-old King of Rome. Our plaster seems to crystallise the child's features some time later. Henri-Joseph RUTXHIEL (Lierneux, 1775 - Paris, 1837)