Early 19th Century, Francois-Pierre Guillois (1741–1831), Life-Size, Articulated, Wood, Steel and Brass Lay Figure on Stand (French)
 
In stained beech, walnut, steel and brass, depicting a human body supported at the rear by the pelvis and resting on a height-adjustable tripod base with casters.

LITERATURE:

J. Munro, Mannequin d’artiste, mannequin fétiche, cat. exp., Paris, 2015, pp. 50-51.

HISTORY:

Long since forgotten, artist’s mannequins, also known as lay figures, were among the most essential but little acclaimed tools of the artist's workshop from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. As is known from letters, memoirs, estate sales, and works of art, they were used by notable artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Antonio da Correggio, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Edgar Degas, Thomas Sully, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Paul Cézanne, among others, from the 15th to the 20th century.

Artists used them routinely in their working practice, as a way of studying clothing and the fall of light and shade. The lay figure’s untiring limbs offered a reliable substitute for the living model: generally cheaper, it was also able to sustain a pose for much longer. One example being the Coronation Gown of Queen Victoria portrayed by Thomas Sully (1753–1872) in his painting of the Monarch, in which her sumptuous attire was arrayed on a layman, a procedure to which he refers in his diary.Medium to large Lay Figures took about a year to craft and were extremely costly.

CONDITION:

Excellent condition overall. Wear commensurate with age. All joints function. Professionally restored, polished and waxed.
 
PROVENANCE:
 
(1) Rumoured to be from the Estate of veteran Disney artist, Ralph Kent (1939 to 2007) who was known to collect rare Lay Figures. Mr. Kent was one of the select few known to be “The Keeper of the Mouse”, responsible for keeping the look and integrity of Walt Disney’s most famous creation.
(2) Purchased by Obsolete Inc., California.
(3) Purchased from Obsolete Inc. by Blaine Halvorson in Los Angeles, Founder of apparel company, Made Worn.
(4) Purchased from the Estate of Blaine Halvorson.

ABOUT FRANCOIS-PIERRE GUILLOIS:

François-Pierre Guillois (1741 – 1831) was a renowned 18th-century French mechanic and creator recognised for producing highly sophisticated, articulated wooden and iron lay figures (mannequins) used by artists. Active in the late 18th century, his mannequins were distinguished by their advanced anatomical accuracy, allowing for a wide range of motion and detailed poses.

His creations were highly regarded, with examples of his work or pieces in his style appearing in major collections, including the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, and the Musée Bourdelle.