Lot 45: Attributed to Jean-Jacques Caffieri (Paris 1725-1792)

Attributed to Jean-Jacques Caffieri (Paris 1725-1792)
Portrait bust of Nicolas C. Fabri de Peiresc; and Portrait bust of Pierre Gassendi
the first inscribed 'NIC. CL. FABRI DE PEIRESC'; the second inscribed 'PETRVS GASSENDVS', with multiple paper labels and ink and chalk inscriptions to the reverses
terracotta
5 in. (12.9 cm.) diameter each (2)

Beaux Arts, no. 6, 1923, p. 84 (the first only).

Nicolas Fabri de Peiresc (1580-1637) was a French astronomer and member of the Parlement in Provence. He was also a great friend of Rubens and the two corresponded weekly for years discussing their own collecting habits and other non-art related topics, such as politics and new inventions. Pierre Gassendi (1592-1655), also from Provence, was a scientist, priest, philosopher and mathematician. He wrote a biography of Peiresc.