Biography

Jehan Duseigneur (also Jean-Bernard du Seigneur), French sculptor. At the age of 14, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, became successively the pupil of François-Joseph Bosio, Louis Dupaty (1771-1825) and Jean-Pierre Cortot (1787-1843). At 16, he was awarded the "third medal". The education he received is classic because Bosio was a student of Canova. However, he moves away from the classical school, looking into the Middle Ages for chivalrous and Christian new inspirations. He follows with great interest the anatomy lessons and is attracted to the forms dictated by the nature.

In 1831 he achieved renown when he exhibited Roland furieux (Orlando Furioso), now in Louvre and often regarded as the first romantic sculpture. He turned quickly almost exclusively to the production of religious works, religious buildings decoration. The rest of his activity is devoted to executing busts and medallions (busts of Jacques de Rougé, Marquis du Plessis-Bellière, now in the Palace of Versailles, and the poet Gérard de Nerval).