GIRARDON, FRANcOIS, 1628-1715; a sculptor whose works are typically charac teristic of the epoch of Louis XIV. As a boy, he had for master a joiner and wood carve• of his native town, Baudesson by name, under whom he is said to have worked at the chateau of Liebault, where he attracted the notice of the chancellor Seguier. By the chancellor's influence, Girardon was first removed to Paris and placed in thestudio of Francois Anguier, and afterwards sent to Rome. In 1650. he returned to France, and seems at once to have addressed himself with something like ignoble subserviency to the t of conciliating Le Brun, who owed his start in life to the same patron. Girardori Ts reported to have declared himself incapable of composing a group, whether with truth or frommotives of policy it is impossible to say. This-much is certain, that a very large proportion of his work was carried out from designs by Le Brun, and shows the merits and defects of Le Brun's manner—a great command of ceremonial pomp in presenting his subject, coupled with a large treatment of forms which, if it were more expreSsive, might be imposing. An immense quantity of work at Versailles was intrusted to him, and, in recognition of the successful execution of four figures for the Bains d'Apollon, Le Brun induced the king to present his protege personally with a purse of 300 louis, as a distinguishing mark of royal favor. In 1650, Girardon was made member of the academy; in 1659, professor; and in 1695, chancellor. Five years before, on the death of Le Brun, he had also been appointed inspector-general of sculpture—a place of power and profit. In 1699, he completed the bronze equestrian statue of Louis XIV., erected by the town of Paris on the Place Louis le Grand. This statue was melted down during the revolution, and is known to us only by a small bronze medal finished by Girardon himself. His "Tomb of Richelieu" (church of the Sorbonne) was saved from destruction by M. Alexandre Lenoir, who received a bayonet-thrust in protecting the head of the cardinal from mutilation. It is a capital example of Girardon's work; but amongst other important specimens yet remaining may also be cited the "Tomb of Louvois" (St. Eutsache), that of Bignon (St. Nicholas du Chardonneret), and decorative
sculptures in the Galerie d'Apollon an Chambre du Roi, in the Louvre. Although chiefly occupied at Paris, Girardon never forgot his native Troyes. In the Hotel de Ville is still shown a medallion of Louis XIV., and in the church of St. Remy a bronze crucifix of some importance—both works by his hand. In 1850, M. Corrard de Brebau, who has given much time to researches concerning artists native to the town of Troyes, published a Notice stir la vie et les ceuvres de Girardon. [Encyc. Brit., 9th ed.] GrItA.SOL, a precious stone, exhibiting in strong lights a peculiar and beautiful reflec tion of bright red or yellow light, which seems to come from the interior of the stone. From this it derives its name (Ital. "sun-turning"). There are different kinds of gira sol, variously referred by mineralogists to quartz and opal, species which, however, are very nearly allied. One kind is also known as fire opal, which is found only at Zima pan, in Mexico, and in the Faroe islands. The Mexican specimens are of a rich topaz yellow color, and the reflection is very bright. Another kind is the quartz resinite of HMV, so called because of its characteristic resinous fracture. It is found of various colors, sometimes of a fine yellow or emerald green, more generally bluish white. For a specimen of extraordinary brilliancy not an inch and a half in diameter. £1000 has been refused. The ancients held this stone in high estimation. They called it asteria (Gr. aster, a star). They obtained it both from Caramania and from India. The Cam manian stones were preferred. The brightest are at present brought from Brazil, but fine specimens are also brought from Siberia. Imitation girasols are made of glass, in which a little oxide of tin is mixed.—The name girasol is sometimes given to a kind of sapphire, also called asteria sapphire, exhibiting a similar reflection of light, and some times to sunstone, an avanturine feldspar.