Girardon, Francois

Girardon, Francois an eminent French sculptor, was born at Troves (Champagne), March 16, 1628, studied with care the statues in the churches of Troyes, and produced a picture of The Virgin, which was much admired. In 1657 he was admitted to the Academy at Paris; in 1659 was appointed professor; became director in 1674, and chancellor in 1695. There are many of his productions in France. The mausoleum of cardinal Richelieu, in the Church of the Sorbonne, was considered his masterpiece. He died in 1715. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.; Spooner, Biog. Hist. of the Fine Arts, s.v.