Bronze bust representing him in the antique-style as general of the Directoire.
Second Empire period.
Stamp of the caster "E. Jullien, 12 rue Pasquier in Paris" (active 1855-1880).
Resting on a green marble column base.
H. 43 cm (28 cm without base).
Masson executed three busts of Masséna, our model in the Roman-style, while he is general of the Directoire, is the first ; the second in full uniform of Marshal of the Empire which disappeared in the fire at the Tuileries (a copy of it is kept in Versailles) ; and finally a copy derived from the first in the antique-style but enhanced with the insignia of the Marshal (the marshal's harness wears the crossed sticks of the Marshals of France, Osenat sale, November 15, 2015, lot 276).
André Masséna, born Andrea Massena, 1st Duke of Rivoli and Prince of Essling, born May 6, 1758 in Nice (then in the County of Nice of the Kingdom of Sardinia) and died April 4, 1817 in Paris, is a French general of the Revolution and the Empire, elevated to the dignity of Marshal of the Empire by Napoleon in 1804.