Six Generations of Coustous, a Family of Sculptors

An exceptional, astonishing collection traces the history of a family that gave France some of its finest marble treasures. Attributed to Jean Baptiste Santerre (1651-1717), Portrait of Nicolas Coustou (1658-1733), oil on canvas, 97 x 74 cm/38.18 x 29.13 in.Estimate: €12,000/15,000 Surprisingly, the collection has just a few sculptures, and they are painted. The name Coustou evokes Louis XIV and Louis XV’s great royal commissions gracing the Louvre’s Marly Courtyard by Nicolas (1658-1733) and Guillaume (1677-1746), the illustrious nephews of Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720). The artistic dynasty they founded passed down 17 intimate portraits from one generation to the next. Alexandre Roslin (1718-1793), Portrait of Guillaume II Coustou (1716-1777), oil on