Germain Pilon
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Germain Pilon (c.1525 Paris - 1590 Paris) was one of the most important sculptors of the French Renaissance. Trained by his father and (perhaps) Pierre Bontemps, Pilon was an expert with marble, bronze, wood and terra cotta; he was also skilled at drawing. His works - with their realism and theatrical emotion - show the influence of the School of Fontainebleau, Michelangelo and the Italian baroque. Much of Pilon's work was on funerary monuments, especially the Valois Chapel at the Saint Denis Basilica designed by Francesco Primaticcio (never completed). He was the favorite sculptor of queen Catherine de Medici.
His most famous works include:
- Monument containing the heart of Henri II of France (1561-1562) Louvre - made in collaboration with Domenico del Barbieri (who designed the pedestal), Pilon was responsible for the eloquent statue of the three Graces.
- Tomb of Henri II and Catherine de Medici (1561-1573) Abbey Church of Saint Denis Basilica - Pilon was responsible for the kneeling bronze figures on top of this monument (depicting the king and queen alive and praying) and the moving and realistic recumbent figures of the queen and king in death at the center of this monument the construction of which was supervised by Francesco Primaticcio (who sculpted the four corner figures). (Catherin de Medici is reported to have fainted at the sight of these figures.)
- Effigies of Henri II and Catherine de Medici in coronation dress (1583) Abbey Church of Saint Denis Basilica - this later pair lacks the emotional intensity of the previous work
- Virgin of Pity (c.1585) (terra cotta) Louvre
- Tomb of Valentine Balbiani (1574) Louvre
- Descent from the Cross (1580-1585) (Bronze bas-relief) Louvre
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