The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has recently acquired a marble portrait bust created by French sculptor Pierre-Jean David d'Angers in 1831. The sculpture depicts Ann Buchan Robinson and showcases the artist's masterful attention to period hairstyling details that were characteristic of early 19th-century portraiture.
The bust is particularly notable for its intricate representation of the subject's chignon hairstyle, which forms a large knot with two loops atop Robinson's head. This elaborate coiffure gives the portrait subject both a dignified and commanding presence, reflecting the fashion sensibilities of the 1830s. The hairstyle serves as a fascinating example of how sculptors of the period faced unique challenges in capturing the complex hair arrangements that were dictated by contemporary fashion trends.
David d'Angers was renowned for his ability to master these intricate details, much like the skilled hairdressers who created such elaborate styles. The chignon depicted in Robinson's portrait represents more than just a fashion statement – it serves as a revealing indicator of the historical period and social customs of the time. Whether styled to appear lofty or bohemian, strict or romantic, these hairstyles could be rolled, knotted, braided, or artfully tousled depending on the desired aesthetic.
The acquisition connects to other notable works from the same period that feature similar hairstyling. The same type of chignon can be observed in a painting of Léontine de Rivière by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun from 1831, as well as in David d'Angers' 1828 profile medallion portrait of Céleste Motte, who would later become Madame Achille Devéria. These works collectively demonstrate the widespread popularity of this particular hairstyle among fashionable women of the era.
This latest acquisition strengthens the Metropolitan Museum's collection of 19th-century French sculpture and provides visitors with an excellent example of David d'Angers' technical skill and artistic sensitivity. The bust not only showcases the sculptor's ability to work with marble but also his keen eye for capturing the social and cultural nuances of his time through seemingly simple details like hairstyling.
