Jean-Antoine Houdon sculptor who captured living images of key figures of his era in marble

The work of Jean-Antoine Houdon is considered the crown of the Rococo style. The master’s biography was closely intertwined with the end of the Enlightenment, the Napoleonic Wars and the French Revolution. In a difficult time of social cataclysms, he sculpted marble portraits of famous historical figures. Jean-Antoine Houdon became famous for his subtle understanding of the dynamics of the human body. In each work, he tried to convey not only individual traits, but also the character of the character. The desire for naturalism, authenticity, allowed the author to create works that are still considered the standard in teaching plastic anatomy.

Biography

Jean-Antoine Houdon was born in the spring of March 25, 1741, in Versailles, a commune formed around the residence of the French monarchs. The boy’s talent manifested itself early, when he sculpted clay figurines, trying to replicate real objects people, animals. Parents, noticing the talent of their son, sent him to the Royal Academy of Arts at the age of 11.

Diligent training with famous sculptors Rene-Michel Slodtz, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Jean-Baptiste Pigalle allowed Houdon to receive the prestigious Rome Prize at the age of 20. He remained in Italy, where he worked from 1761 to 1768 on statues of saints for the church.

Here he also created the anatomical sculpture “Ekorshe” a body without skin captured in a dynamic pose, intended for a detailed study of the muscular apparatus, ligaments and fascia.

In 1771, Jean-Antoine Houdon was honored to become a member of the Paris Academy of Arts, and seven years later he received the title of professor. Among the famous contemporaries whose images were preserved by the hands of the master are the swindler Giuseppe Cagliostro, the thinker Voltaire, and the Russian Empress Catherine the Great. The sculptor’s fame thundered not only in Europe. He was invited to America, where he created the famous bust of Benjamin Franklin.

Goodon’s life was not always cloudless. Having survived the French Revolution, he fell out of favor due to his ties to the royal court, but survived. The former glory returned to him after the revival of the empire.

Jean-Antoine Houdon lived for 87 years, received huge royalties for his work, leaving his descendants a significant fortune. Shortly before his death, he became a Knight of the Legion of Honor. Jean-Antoine Houdon died on July 15, 1828. The remains of the famous sculptor are buried in the Montparnasse cemetery.

The most famous sculptures by Jean-Antoine Houdon

The works of the great French sculptor are distinguished by dynamic postures and deep emotionality. The master strove to give each of his heroes a lively facial expression that conveyed the character of a person. The most famous sculptures by Jean-Antoine Houdon:

1. “Bust of Catherine II” (1775) is considered one of the best images of this extraordinary, determined woman, with whom the author had a chance to meet personally.
2. Diana on the Hunt (1777) is the most famous work dedicated to a mythological character. The light figurine of the goddess rests on one leg, strives forward. Connoisseurs note the special elegance of the silhouette, eroticism and flexibility.
3. “Voltaire Sitting in an Armchair” (1781) the statue was commissioned by the Russian empress, a great admirer of the philosophy of the French thinker. The original is on display in the Hermitage collection.
4. “Bust of Giuseppe Balsamo, Count Cagliostro” (1786) dedicated to the famous Italian adventurer. The author tried to portray the expression of the challenge, boldly thrown by the count, whose face is turned to heaven.
5. “Bust of Sabine Goodon” (1788) is one of the portrait sculptures dedicated to children. The master captured the freshness of infancy, innocent expression, soft forms of a little girl.

Jean-Antoine Houdon is considered the consummate author of portrait sculptures. While gravitating towards naturalism and classicism, he remained a faithful follower of the graceful style intended for rich salons and royal palaces. Many major museums in Europe and America keep the heritage of the famous master.