Two terracotta allegorical figures 'Le Sommeil' and 'L'Espérance'
Two female figures modelled in the round, wearing classical attire and shown standing on round flat plinths. The figure of sleep with her head resting on a fluted column, that of hope with an anchor entwined with rose tendrils. H ca. 38 cm.
Andenne, Wouters manufactory, the model attributed to Jacques Richardot, late 18th century.
This pair of figures was produced in varying sizes by the Belgian factory in Andenne, including almost life-size version with a height of 120 - 130 cm.
The production of fine earthenware in Andenne began in 1783 on the initiative of Joseph Wouters, whose family dealt in clay. Wouters first travelled to the major stoneware making centres of Europe before hiring employees from Septfontaines, Lorraine and England. In 1785, his first factory was given the title "Imperial and Royal Factory" by Emperor Joseph II, which it was permitted to hold for ten years.
The ceramist Jacques Richardot (1743 - 1806) was the son of Claude Richardot, a sculptor who worked for the Lunéville manufactory. He learned his trade at a young age from Paul-Louis Cyfflé and Jacques Chambrette. After the death of the latter in 1758, the manufactory sought new employment. The Richardot family moved to Brussels and over the next few years, Jacques Richardot worked for various manufactories. His models were so successful that even the Frankenthal Porcelain Manufactory produced his version of the Abduction of Helen. From 1786 onwards, Jacques and his now adult son Ghislain were also engaged in the Wouters manufactory.
Literature
Cf. the large examples in the Musée Groesbeeck de Croix, in Piechowski, L´énigme Richardot, in: La faïence fine à Andenne (online), p. 104 ff., illus. 7 ff.