The Nymph with a Shell (Nymphe à la coquille)
Sculpture in the round • Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720)
Style & Movement
French Baroque (Classicism), inspired by Hellenistic Greek originals.
Medium & Technique
Carly white Carrara marble; subtractive carving with fine detailing including drill work for the hair and delicate finishing for the skin (sfumato effect in stone).
Creation Period
Late 17th Century (c. 1683-1685)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 105 x 85 x 65 cm; seated figure format on a naturalistic rocky base.
Subject Description
A seated nymph, semi-nude with classical drapery falling from one shoulder, leaning forward to inspect or listen to a conch shell. Represents a graceful, naturalistic study of the female form with a focus on youthful elegance and gentle movement.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (Institutional Grade). Surface shows typical signs of aging for a 330-year-old marble, with some minor discoloration and pitting.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000,000 - $8,000,000 USD (Theoretical, as it is a national treasure)
Auction Estimate
$4,000,000 - $6,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Commissioned for the gardens of the Château de Versailles; later moved to the Louvre Museum; historically part of the Royal Collection of Louis XIV.
Art Historical Significance
A masterpiece of the French Grand Siècle. Coysevox was a premier sculptor for Louis XIV, and this piece demonstrates the shift from rigid classicism to the more fluid, graceful Louis XIV style that prefigured the Rococo.
Notable Features
Exquisite treatment of the 'wet drapery' technique; highly characteristic braided hairstyle seen in late 17th-century French court sculpture; base mimics water and sand texture.
Condition Issues
Visible breakage and repair on the left arm (stress fracture or old break cleanly mended); minor chips to the shell edges; general surface yellowing from atmospheric deposition; some abrasion on the base.
Conservation Recommendations
Non-invasive surface cleaning to remove dust and pollutants; humidity and temperature control; protective plinth; avoid direct manual contact to prevent oil transfer.