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BEST WORKS OF SCULPTURE
For a list of the world's top 100
3-D artworks, by the best sculptors
in the history of art, see:
Greatest Sculptures Ever.
BEST SCULPTORS
For a list of the world's most
talented 3-D artists, see:
Greatest Sculptors.
EVOLUTION OF SCULPTURE
For details of the origins and
development of the plastic arts
see: History of Sculpture.
FORMS OF SCULPTING
For different types of carving,
and modelling media, see:
Stone Sculpture
From igneous, sedimentary,
and metamorphic rocks.
Marble Sculpture
Pentelic, Carrara, Parian marbles.
Wood Carving
Chip carving, relief carving of
softwoods and hardwoods.
Bronze Sculpture
Lost-wax casting method,
sandcasting, centrifugal casting.
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Commissioned by Queen Catherine in 1561
to honour her late husband, Henry II who had died after being wounded
in a tournament in 1559. It was also intended to receive the Queen's heart
on her death. The Graces recall a cassolette designed for Francis I by
Raphael and engraved by Marcantonio Raimondi. The light tunics, the elegance
and gestures, the serenity of their faces all are refernces to antique
statuary. However Pilon 'modernised' the sculpture by adapting Mannerism's
elongated slender figures. The artist carved deep into the marble, so
that the drapery catches the light, suggesting real movement. The beauty
of the group is completed by the very fine craftsmanship.
Mausoleum by Catherine de Medici
Pilon's next important commission was a
mausoleum requested by Catherine de Medici for herself, her husband (Henry
II) and their children. Begun in the early 1560's, the marble mausoleum
was built at the Abbey Church, Saint-Denis. Francesco
Primaticcio (1504-1570) designed the work and Pilon carried out the
sculptures. The kneeling effigies of Henry and Catherine on the upper
tier of the tomb are cast in bronze, although the primary material used
is marble.
Portraits and Medallions
Pilon was also a popular portrait sculptor
and medallist. A fine example of this is the bronze bust of Charles
IX of France (c.1574, Wallace Collection, London). On the strength
of his realistic sculptural skills, Pilon was appointed Controller General
of the Paris Mint in 1572, and made some of the finest medallions, medals,
and coins of his time. Pilon's mature work, as exemplified by his statue
of St. Francis in Ecstasy (1583, Church of St Jean, Paris) is characterised
by even greater freedom and naturalism. Other important sculptures include:
The Virgin of Sorrows (1580, Louvre,
Paris)
This terracotta figure of the stricken Virgin was intended for the Mausoleum
commissioned by Catherine de Medici. The expressive nature of the Virgin
shows signs of a late French Gothic revival.
Monument to René de Biraghe
(1575-90, Louvre)
A monument to Chancelor René de Biraghe. The kneeling, naturalistic
figure was considered highly innovative in its time.
The Lamentation (1580-85, Louvre)
The bronze relief 'Deposition' which belongs to the tomb of René
de Biraghe. Contains strong influences of Michelangelo and his school.
Pilon died in 1590. His emotional style
of art is thought by some to have been too personal to inspire imitation.
Nevertheless, his works represent an important step towards greater naturalism
and were to influence French
Baroque artists in later generations.
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