Jean William Henri Pécou

JEAN WILLIAM HENRI PÉCOU (Bordeaux, 1854-20th century).
"Child's head", late 19th century.
Carrara white marble.
Signed on the back.
Museums: Montpellier.
Measurements: 33 x 23 x 21 cm.

This delicate Head of a child is a refined example of the French academic sculpture of the end of the 19th century. Carved in white Carrara marble, the work stands out for the softness of the modeling and the subtle transition between planes, especially visible in the treatment of the cheeks, eyelids and mouth. The artist combines a meticulous execution of the face with a barely sketched base, with a freer and more vibrant texture, creating an interesting contrast between the polished finish and the flared surface.

The child's expression, serene and slightly introspective, reveals a naturalistic sensibility that avoids excessive sentimentality. The attentive study of the child's anatomy and the elegance of the hairstyle demonstrate the sculptor's solid academic training, as well as his technical mastery in direct marble carving.

Jean William Henri Pécou was a sculptor and medalist, trained under such prominent masters as François Jouffroy, Eugène Delaplanche and Alexandre Falguière. He began exhibiting at the Salon in 1876, winning an honorable mention in 1885 and a bronze medal at the Universal Exposition of 1889. His production is fully inscribed in the French academicism of the Third Republic, characterized by technical rigor, anatomical study and a taste for intimate and portrait subjects.