CHAUDET, ANTOINE DENIS, a celebrated French sculptor, born at Paris, in 1763. He was the pupil of Stouf, and in 1784 he obtained the grand prize of the Academy for sculpture, by a bas-relief of 'Joseph sold by his Brethren.' He studied some time in Rome, and returned to Paris in 1789, when he was elected an Agrde of the Academy of Painting and Sculpture, of which be became later a member and professor of sculpture. He was made a member of the Institute in 1805, and took part in the preparation of the 'Dictionary of the French Academy ; ' be edited the 'Dictionnaire de la Langue des Beaux Arts.' He died in 1810.
There are several excellent works by Chaudet in public buildings of Paris, but one of his chief performances, the colossal bronze statue of Napoleon in the heroic or Roman costume, which stood on the column of the Place VendOme, was melted down in 1814 by the government of Louis XVIII, and the metal was used to form part of the horse of Henri IV. on the Pont Neuf. Chaudet was likewise a painter of considerable merit ; and his widow, Madame Chaudet, also distinguished herself as a rare and portrait painter.
CiLtUVEAU LAGARDE, CLAUDE: FRANcOIS, was born at Mauve. In 1767. and like Robeepierre. had acquired a respectable 1:1&0111 as a lawyer before the revolution. lie continued to practise
during those days of anarchy, and In the beginning of the Reign of Terror. his eloquaot defence saved General Miranda from the scaffold. Rat in his pleiog for the Giroodist Brimot, he was less fortunate. his famous defence of Charlotte Corday startled the judges, and his enthusiastic elkst interrupted him, to disclaim any apology which might throw doubt oa her design and motive. lie was likewise the advocate for Madame Roland, and assisted her in preparing her defence ; but she would not allow him to venture his life by appearing to plead for her In court. After the trial of Marie Antoinette, in whose cause he was likewise retained, the fearlemadvocate was thrown into prison, where be remained until released by the fall of Robes pierre (July 29 1704). In 1806 Napoleon made him an advocate of Camel' d'itat ; and In 1814, Louis XV1II. gave him a patent of nobility. Historians will do well to consult the narratives which he published in 1S16, of the trial of Marie Antoinette and that of Madame Elizabeth. Chavean Lagarde, maintaining to the last his character as a firm and upright man, died at Paris on the 20th of February 1841, aged 77.