LabelHoudon's canonical portraits of the French philosophes (as well as of America's founding fathers) have contributed to his popularity in America. No less beloved are his depictions of children, of which the most beautiful may be the head of his own daughter Sabine. The delicate naturalistic folds of flesh at the intersection of Sabine's chest and arms are carved with a melting softness that perfectly captures the limpid fragility of infant skin. Her alert, unsentimentaliized features present a personality whose distinction transcends the category of children's portraits.

Signatures, Inscriptions, and MarkingsInscriptions: [on tranche of back]: sabinet houdon /1788

ProvenanceSabine Houdon, Paris; Henri Perron (grandson of Sabine Houdon), Paris (by descent, until after ca. 1905); Jacques Antoine Doucet, Paris (by 1906 – until 1912); [Doucet sale, Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, 1/5-8/1912, Vol. 2, no. 113, illus.]; [ Duveen Bros., Inc., London and New York, in 1912; sold to Judge E. H. Gary]; Judge Elbert H. Gary, New York (by 1914 – until 1928); [Judge Elbert H. Gary sale, American Art Association, April 19-21, 1928, no. 251]; [ Knoedler and Co., New York, 22 April 1928; sold to Mrs. E. S. Harkness]; Mrs. Edward S. Harkness, New York (1928-1950)