A sculpture with an estimated value of $3 millionwhich was used for years as door stop on an industrial site in Scotlandis expected to be sold, subject to court approval. The sculpture, the “Bouchardon Bust“, was created at the beginning of the 18th century by the French sculptor Edmé Bouchardon and depicts John Gordon, an important figure and founder of the town of Invergordon.
Originally, in 1930, it was purchased by Invergordon Town Council for its local exhibition, but was ultimately never displayed and was found in 1998 to be used to hold a door open. In 2016, the bust was loaned to the Louvre Museum and in 2017 to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, generating great interest in collectors’ circles.
In the latest development, a private collector has offered over £2.5 million to purchase the work, with a commitment to fund the creation of an exact replica for the local community. The City Council has launched a public consultation, and after the court’s approval, it is expected to decide whether the work will be designated a “national treasure” – a fact that could limit its export abroad, according to the Waverley criteria.
The discovery of this sculpture and the current process of selling it shed light on the history and significance of the work for local and national heritage.
Source: CNN
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Does the offer to create a replica adequately compensate for the loss of the original sculpture from a historical and cultural perspective?
**Host:** Joining us today is art historian Dr. Sophie Dubois to discuss the fascinating case of the Bouchardon Bust, which recently made headlines after being discovered used as a doorstop. Dr. Dubois, for those unfamiliar with the story, can you briefly explain the situation?
**Dr. Dubois:** Certainly. This remarkable 18th-century sculpture by the renowned French artist Edmé Bouchardon, depicting John Gordon, founder of the Scottish town of Invergordon, was purchased by the local council in 1930. However, it was never displayed and ended up, quite amazingly, propping open a door at an industrial site for decades. Its significance was only rediscovered in 1998, and since then, it has been loaned to prestigious institutions like the Louvre and the Getty, generating substantial interest from collectors.
**Host:** Now, a private collector has offered a staggering £2.5 million for the bust, with a promise to fund a replica for the town. What are your thoughts on this offer and the potential sale? Do you believe it’s in the best interests of Invergordon and the national heritage of Scotland?
