Girardon Francois (Girardon Franois)

(1628-1715)
Born in Troyes March 17, 1628. He studied at the local sculptor Bodessona, and in 1648 made a trip to Rome, where he studied under J.-L.Bernini. Back in 1650 in Paris, worked together with Laurent Magne and Francois Ange. In 1657 Girardon was admitted to the Royal Academy, and in 1694 became its president. Girardon died in Paris on September 4, 1715.
Girardon and Antoine Kuazevoks - leading representatives of the style of Louis XIV in the sculpture. This style was created a whole galaxy of artists, in the service of King and worked under the direction of Charles Lebrun. Girardon created the sculptural decoration of the Gallery of Apollo in the Louvre (1664-1671), numerous sculptures and projects for Versailles and equestrian statue of Louis XIV in the Place Vendome (1699, demolished in 1792). In 1668 the sculptor commissioned by the King made a second trip to Italy in order to purchase works of art for its collections. The majestic style works Girardon became the standard, which were imitated by many generations of sculptors of the Royal Academy. One of the most brilliant and inspired by his works - Tombstone Richelieu (1694, Church of the Sorbonne in Paris).