Flayed Man at The Louvre, Paris

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Jean Antoine Houdon, preeminent sculptor of the French Enlightenment, was renowned for his exceptional portraiture skills, earning him widespread fame among contemporaries and future generations alike, despite struggling to achieve similar success on a larger scale. The Enlightenment values of truth to nature, simplicity, and elegance were perfectly captured through his ability to transform marble into an exact representation of a subject's personality and the dynamic essence of living flesh, their inner as well as outer existence. Three sculptures he created during his time in Rome - Saint Bruno, the Ecorché, and John the Baptist - showcase key characteristics of his later work. Specifically, the Ecorché (Flayed Man), which served as the foundation for the noble figure of John the Baptist, demonstrates Houdon's deep fascination with anatomical study. It also highlights his interest in casting and reproduction; like many of his most popular works, he would replicate it numerous times. However, these three statues also indicate a sphere of activity where he ultimately faced disappointment: commissions for large-scale monumental sculpture, the ultimate source of fame and financial reward for professional sculptors during that era. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the world, accessible to the public for free. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate.