“Falconet,” a name whispered with reverence by art historians. Rue Falconet in the 18th arrondissement is named for him. This street pays homage to the sculptor Étienne Maurice Falconet. Let’s delve into the story of this artist and the street that bears his name.
Étienne Maurice Falconet was born in Paris in 1716. Imagine young Étienne, a carpenter’s apprentice. He spent his free time crafting clay figures. His talent caught the eye of sculptor Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne. Lemoyne took Falconet under his wing. Falconet spent almost ten years in Lemoyne’s workshop.
Falconet’s connections grew. He met Pigalle and Pajou. His encounter with François Boucher proved pivotal. Boucher introduced him to Marquise de Pompadour. She was King Louis XV’s mistress and a great arts patron. Pompadour commissioned works from Falconet. One such work was La Jardinière. It adorned the dairy of the King’s Crécy castle.
Falconet became known as a master of both Baroque and Neoclassical styles. The Menacing Love sculpture resides in the Louvre Museum today. But his most famous work is in St. Petersburg, Russia. It’s the Monument of Peter the Great, also known as The Bronze Horseman.
Interestingly, Rue Falconet wasn’t always its current name. In 1932, Paris named it Rue Pierre-Foncin. Later, it was renamed in honor of the sculptor.
Even today, a small error persists. On the official French cadastral plan website, the street’s name is misspelled with two “N”s. A minor imperfection in honoring a great artist.
Falconet’s legacy extends beyond his sculptures. He directed the sculpture studios at the Sèvres porcelain factory. There, he created models and small mythological figures. Venus and Cupid are among them. He also produced a series of nude female bathers.
In 1766, Catherine II of Russia summoned Falconet. His friend Denis Diderot suggested him for the task. She wanted an equestrian statue of Peter the Great. Falconet dedicated the powerful work in 1782. However, he left Russia in 1778. Soon after, a stroke left him unable to sculpt.
Falconet also left his mark through writing. He wrote Réflexions sur la sculpture. Diderot requested it for the Encyclopédie.
As you stand here on Rue Falconet, remember the artist. Remember his journey from a humble apprentice to a renowned sculptor. He shaped clay and bronze. Falconet even left his thoughts on sculpture for posterity. This street, though small, carries a giant’s legacy.