Figurehead from the Neptune
Toulon
Figurehead of the ship Neptune (1818-1868)
Attributed to the sculpture workshop of the Lorient arsenal
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Enlarge image : Close view of the wooden head
Figurehead from the Neptune © Musée national de la Marine/ Romain Osi -
Enlarge image : Neptune in the first plan with two other sculptures
Figureheads © Musée national de la Marine/ Romain Osi
This figurehead from the 80-gun vessel Neptune, built at Lorient’s shipyard between 1810 and 1818, was added to the Naval Museum’s collections in 1868 when the ship was decommissioned.
The sculpture
Enlarge image : Full view
In many respects, naval decoration in general was an ideological tool and vehicle for propaganda. To this end, ships’ figureheads and other ornaments during Louis XIV’s reign drew inspiration from Antiquity. Under the Consulate and the Empire (1800-1815), the great majority of ships sported an eagle, symbol of Imperial Rome, on their prows, and many of them borrowed their names from Roman mythology.
Although it was originally carved entirely in pitch pine, a softwood popular in shipbuilding, it was decided to employ elm for its restoration, using the substitute species on the middle of the torso and pectorals. Restoration was required as the imposing figurehead was damaged during the airstrikes on Toulon in 1944.
Collection highlight
The essential works to see during your visit to the Musée national de la Marine in Brest, Port-Louis, Rochefort, Toulon, and soon in Paris.