Falcone (French 18th century sculptor)
Falcone is a French 18th-century sculptor, born in Paris on December 1, 1716.
- Étienne Maurice Falconet
- France
- Paris
- December 1, 1716
- January 24, 1791
Introduction
Falcone (1716～1791) Falconet, tienne-Maurice, French sculptor. Academician of the Academy of Fine Arts. Born in Paris on December 1, 1716, and died in the same place on January 24, 1791. From 1734 to 1744, he studied in the studio of the sculptor J.-B. Le Moine .
Works and achievements
His first independently completed work was "Crotona's Milo" (1744), and ten years later he was awarded the title of Academician of the Academy of Fine Arts with a variant of the same subject (1754, Marble, Louvre Museum ). He was also protected by some dignitaries due to a series of works created during this period, such as the lively and beautiful small indoor sculpture "The Bathing Girl" (1757) with Rococo characteristics. In 1766, on the recommendation of D. Diderot , he went to Russia at the invitation of the Russian Empress Catherine II. In 1778, he completed the bronze monument "Peter the Great on Horseback" (also known as "Bronze Horseman"). This is a magnificent creation that he has achieved world reputation. The statue has a clear height of 5.30 meters, and the base is made of huge granite. It is 5.10 meters high and preserves its natural form. Falcone tried to use the enlightenment spirit of the time to portray Peter as a king "as an entrepreneur, legislator, and creator of national happiness." He highlighted the overall monumental effect of the statue with a very simple and bold approach. At this time, Peter was waiting on the rock and looking far away, and the galloping horse and the sea-like rock base together formed an uplifting momentum. At the same time, he excellently overcame technical difficulties, so that the center of gravity of the entire statue rested on the horse's hind hooves and tail, and the tail was placed on the poisonous snake that symbolized "numerous obstacles set by nature and conservative forces." From Falcone's creative experience throughout his life, one can see some of the influences of Baroque art and Rococo , as well as his distinct realism tendency under the influence of the Enlightenment.
