Statuette of Blaise Pascal

Sèvres Porcelain

Ashmolean Museum

circa 1784

Statuette of Blaise Pascal (1623- 1662) after a terracotta by Augustin Pajou (1730-1809). Pascal is shown as a scientist contemplating a diagram of cycloid on his tablet, rather than as a theologian. A series of statues of Grands Hommes de France was commissioned by the Cote d'Angiviller, Directeur des Batiments du Roi, in 1776. Prior to their execution in marble, terracotta models were made and from these, versions in biscuit for sale.

• Medium: white biscuit porcelain
• Dimensions: 32 cm
• Art Fund Grant: £5000 ( Total: £20,000)
• ArtFunded in: 1986
• Vendor: Winifred Williams

Provenance

Commissioned by the Cote d'Angiviller; Palace of the Tuileries; Gouverner Morris; Mrs Anthony Walton White. Christies 1985.

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