Falcone (1716 - 1791)Falconet, Tienne-Maurice

French sculptor. Academician of the Academy of Fine Arts. Born in Paris on December 1, 1716, and died in the same place on January 24, 1791. From 1734 to 1744, he studied in the studio of the sculptor J. -B. Lemoyne. His first independently completed work was "Milo of Crotona" (1744), and 10 years later he was awarded the title of Academician of the Academy of Fine Arts for a variation of the same subject (1754, Marble, Louvre Museum). He was also sheltered by some dignitaries for a series of works created during this period, such as the lively and graceful interior sculpture "The Bathing Girl" (1757) with the characteristics of Rococo. In 1766, on the recommendation of D. Diderot, he went to Russia at the invitation of Empress Catherine II of Russia. In 1778, he completed the bronze monument "The Riding Statue of Peter the Great" (also known as "The Bronze Knight"), which was a magnificent creation that he achieved world fame. The net height of the statue is 5.30 meters, the base is processed with huge granite, 5.10 meters high, and the natural form is preserved. Falcone tried to use the spirit of the Enlightenment at the time to portray Peter as a king "as an entrepreneur, legislator, and creator of national happiness". He highlighted the overall monumental effect of the statue with a very simple and drastic approach. At this time, Peter was standing on the mountain rock to gaze at the distance, and the galloping horse and the rock pedestal like the sea wave together formed an upward soaring momentum. At the same time, he also overcame the technical difficulties brilliantly, so that the center of gravity of the entire statue rested on the horse's hind hooves and tail, and the tail rested on the viper, which symbolizes "the countless obstacles that nature and the conservative forces have placed on him". From Falcone's life's creative experience, we can see not only some influences of Baroque art and Rococo, but also his clear realism under the influence of the Enlightenment.

Comments: The birth of a generation of masters adds color to the art world and many immortal works to mankind