GIRARDON, FRANgOIS, a distinguished French sculptor, was born at Troyes In 1623. His father, Nicolas Girardon, a bronze founder, designed him for the law, and he Was accordingly placed with a procureur; but quickly disgusted with that profession, ho devoted himself entirely to sculpture. At first he had no other assistance than the hints he derived from studying some works exe cuted by Primatiecio's pupils, till happening to attract the notice of the Chancellor Seguier, ho was enabled to obtain proper instruction, and afterwards to visit Italy, his patron having procured him a travelling pension from Louis XIV. On his return be was much employed, by that monarch ; yet instead of trusting to his own merit and abilities, he constantly paid his court to the painter Le Brun (who stood high in the royal favour) with more servility than became a man of talents. Through that artist's influence he obtained some dis tinction in the Academy of Painting, where he rose through various grades of office; but it was at the price of complying too far with the taste of Lo Brun and his followers. Neither was this policy without its other disadvantages ; for when Louvois succeeded Colbert as minister be took Mansard into favour, and turned his back upon Le Brim and his adherents. After the death of Le Brun however Girar
don was appointed curator of the sculpture at the royal palace°. Girardon married Catharine Duchemin, a lady who obtained some reputation as a flower-painter. He died September 1, 1715, on the same day as Louis XIV.
As an artist, his works had, if less expression, generally more elegance than those of his rival Puget. With some allowance for the false taste of the time, there is in them much beauty of composition, together with correctness of forms aud proportions. Their execution however is very unequal, which is to be attributed to his leaving many of his designs to be wrought either entirely or newly so by his pupils and assistants. Among those ou which he bestowed the most pains, and which are considered his chefs d'eouvre, aro the Mausoleum of Cardinal Richelieu, the group of the ' Rape of Proserpina,' the four principal figures in the Bath of Apollo' at Versailles, and the bronze equestrian statue of Louis XIV., formerly in the Place-Vename; on the subject of which last Boifrand published a work entitled 'Descrip tion de ce qui a 6t6 pratiqu6 pour fondre en bronze d'un soul jet la figure 6questro de Louis XI V.,' fol.. 1743.