Artwork Page for Portrait of Christoph Willibald Gluck

Details / Information for Portrait of Christoph Willibald Gluck

Portrait of Christoph Willibald Gluck

c. 1775

Jean-Antoine Houdon

(French, 1741–1828)
Culture
France, 18th century
Medium
terracotta
Measurements
Overall: 49.5 x 40 x 28.5 cm (19 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 11 1/4 in.); with base: 64 x 39.3 x 28.1 cm (25 3/16 x 15 1/2 x 11 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 1988.59
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

A well-known composer of the 1700s, Gluck reformed opera by bringing unprecedented simplicity and sincerity to his music and staging, qualities shared by Houdon’s bust. This portrait, by depicting Gluck’s pockmarked face, was perceived as a natural and truthful representation. Yet, he would never have appeared publicly with unkempt hair and an open collar, which constituted the standard for representing an artist.
A light brown terracotta sculpture depicts the head and shoulders of Christoph Willibald Gluck, turned toward our right. The unpolished surface has visible tool marks across thick, wavy hair and a deeply lined face. He has a furrowed brow and slightly open mouth. He wears a heavy coat with wide, textured collars and a ruffled shirt. The figure rests on a dark, polished, circular base.

Portrait of Christoph Willibald Gluck

c. 1775

Jean-Antoine Houdon

(French, 1741–1828)
France, 18th century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork