Antoine Coysevox
The sculptor who gave physical form to the grandeur of Louis XIV, filling the halls of Versailles with dynamic marble and bronze portraits of the Sun King's court.
1640–1720 (age 80)·French sculptor·Birthday: September 29
Biography
In the shadow of the great Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Antoine Coysevox carved out his own dominion in marble and bronze, becoming the foremost French sculptor of Louis XIV's later reign. Born in Lyon, he trained in Paris and quickly ascended to royal favor, receiving the coveted title of Sculptor to the King. While he contributed majestic works to the gardens of Versailles, including the forceful 'Fame of Louis XIV,' his true mastery shone in his portrait busts. With an almost uncanny vitality, he captured the wigs, lace, and haughty expressions of the court's aristocrats, ministers, and especially the king himself. His style bridged the solemn Baroque of his early years and the lighter, more graceful Rococo that would follow, making him a pivotal figure who translated the absolute monarchy's appetite for glory into enduring art.
#1 When Antoine Was Born
The biggest hits of 1640
Antoine's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1640Born
1645Started school
1653Became a teenager
1656Could drive
1658Could vote
1661Turned 21
1670Turned 30
1680Turned 40
1690Turned 50
1700Turned 60
1710Turned 70
1720Turned 80
Key Achievements
- Created numerous sculptures and decorations for the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, including the equestrian relief 'Fame of Louis XIV.'
- Served as the official portrait sculptor to King Louis XIV, producing definitive busts of the monarch and his court.
- Was appointed rector of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, a position of high influence.
- Executed the tomb of Cardinal Mazarin in the Institut de France, a major funerary monument.
Did You Know?
His surname 'Coysevox' is a Gallicized version of 'Cuisseveau,' likely of Breton origin.
He was a cousin of the Baroque sculptor Gaspard Marsy, with whom he sometimes collaborated.
Many of his preparatory terracotta models survive and are highly prized for their immediacy and detail.
A full-length marble statue of him by his nephew Nicolas Coustou stands in the Louvre.
“The marble already contains the figure; it is my task to remove the excess.”
