Master of 18th-century classical sculpture.

Étienne-Maurice Falconet was born in 1716 into a modest Parisian family with roots in the Bugey region. Originally trained as a carpenter, he soon turned to sculpture, creating small figures in wood and clay that captured the attention of Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne. Taken under Lemoyne’s wing, Falconet spent over a decade in his studio—a rare and formative apprenticeship—where he came into contact with leading artists of the time, including Pigalle and Pajou.

A pivotal moment in Falconet’s career came through his association with the painter François Boucher, who introduced him to Madame de Pompadour, the powerful royal mistress and patron of the arts. Under her sponsorship, Falconet received prestigious commissions, including the famed La Jardinère for the Château de Crécy.

In 1757, Falconet was appointed head of sculpture at the Sèvres porcelain manufactory. There, he played a central role in the development of the celebrated biscuit de Sèvres, an unglazed porcelain that allowed for intricate modeling. He created over seventy models, developing a style defined by elegance, theatricality, and sensuality.

In 1766, upon the recommendation of Grimm and Diderot, Falconet was invited by Catherine II of Russia to execute the Monument to Peter the Great, a monumental equestrian statue in St. Petersburg. The project spanned twelve years, but conflicts with the Russian court eventually led to his return to France in the late 1770s.

Upon his return, Falconet was appointed vice-director of the Royal Academy (1783) and created major works such as Moses, David, and Melancholy. In 1780, he was succeeded by Charles-Antoine Bridan as professor of sculpture at the Acamedy.

Falconet’s legacy lies in his ability to blend Rococo grace with classical ambition. His sculptures capture the refinement and dynamism of Enlightenment-era France, securing his place among the most influential sculptors of 18th-century Europe.

Literature :

• BENEZIT, E. Dictionnaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs. Paris: Librairie Gründ, 1961. Vol.5. p. 275-276.