Jean Jacques Pradier (1790-1882)
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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.
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.
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.
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.