The images and information presented below are for the instruction of students and scholarly research.
Jean Jacques Pradier
(1790-1882)
The Three Graces
Seated Sappho
Jean Jacques
Pradier also went by the name James Pradier. He was born
in Geneva, Switzerland in 1790. At a young age, Pradier
showed signs of artistic talent. For this reason, his
parents secured for him an apprenticeship with a
jeweler. It was during this apprenticeship that he
learned metal engraving.
After attending drawing classes in Geneva, Pradier left
for Paris in 1807. Three years later, he was registered
at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and began studying sculpture
under Francois-Frederic Lemont. He also received
guidance from painter Francois Gerard.
In 1813, Pradier won the prestigious Prix de Rome. From
there, he went on to reside in Rome at the French
Academy from the years 1814 to 1819.
After leaving the Academy, Pradier returned to France
where he exhibited at the Salon in 1819. He began
displaying Classical female subjects that had a hint of
eroticism. Some features in his works of females include
flawless posture and a contrast between skin and heavily
pleated drapery.
Daphne and Panther
His sculptures had a
cool Neoclassical surface finish. Many of the sculptures
have mythological features with underlying eroticism. In
fact, some of his works actually caused a scandal. His
1834 work Satyr and Bacchante raised the eyebrows of
conservative government members who refused to purchase
it. This sculpture is now housed in the Louvre.
Among his famous sculptures are the twelve Victories
inside the dome of the Invalides. Pradier was
commissioned to design and create twelve figures to
encompass Napoleon’s tomb, as if standing guard. These
figures are twelve huge marble creations. Each is winged
and clothed in draping. Each one is crafted in an
impressive, elegant style. The expressions on the faces
of the creations are grave, further enhancing Pradier’s
cold but impressive style.
Twelve Victories
Pradier, although
primarily a sculptor, also produced some paintings. He
is known and remembered as a painter, sculptor, and
composer.
Pradier died in 1852 and is buried in the Pere-Lachaise
cemetery in Paris.
Authentic works of Pradier tend to share similar
characteristics. Many of them are of mythological
characters. He had an affection for sculpting the female
form. Most of the sculptures are erotic, showing women
draped in a way that displays and complements the female
form.
Sappho, 1848
Psyche
Atalanta Fastening her Sandal, 1850
Leda, 1851
Polypheme
It is highly likely
that undiscovered works of Pradier exist. He was
internationally known and produced a large number of
small-scale works that he distributed throughout his
career. Many of the small creations are reductions of
his large-scale pieces. Many of them are bronzes.
