A famed marble bust by French sculptor Edmé Bouchardon has gone through quite a journey since its carving in the early 18th century. Now, after changing hands several times over the years, it seemingly has found a new home—though it won't be going there for free.
According to CNN, the sculpture was bought for £5 ($6) and used as a doorstop in Scotland for years before officials realized its real value. Acquired by the Invergordon Town Council in 1930, the piece depicts the landowner and politician Sir John Gordon, who was "said to be the founder of Invergordon," per local officials.
Originally intended to be put on display in the town hall, the bust was soon lost, though it was eventually found in 1998 being used to hold open a shed door in an industrial park. Last week, a local government that owns the bust received approval from the Scottish Highlands' Tain Sheriff Court to sell it, a spokeswoman for the region's Highland Council told CNN.
Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committee recommend sale of Bouchardon Bust to full council - full story here - https://t.co/gO5KLv9yHa pic.twitter.com/bHPtIuTpmN
— The Highland Council (@HighlandCouncil) May 13, 2024
The Highland Council outlined the details of a proposed sale in a report published back in May. A private overseas buyer contacted Sotheby's auction house and offered to pay more than £2.5 million ($3.2 million) for the priceless piece of artwork. On top of that, the anonymous buyer offered to foot the bill for a museum-quality replica of the bust for display in the area. The council agreed to sell it back in June.
The artwork has spent most of its life in Scotland, but it has traveled a bit in recent years. It was loaned to the Louvre in Paris in 2016 and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles the following year.
from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/g0m7H6j
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