GOUJON, Jean
(b. ca. 1510, d. ca. 1565, Bologna)

Nymph

1548-49
Marble
Musée du Louvre, Paris

Jean Goujon, the greatest 16th-century French sculptor, began work on his masterpiece, the Fontaine des Innocents, at the end of 1548. Its original architecture is now greatly modified. Five nymphs personifying the rivers of France are placed between pilasters. While Goujon may have been inspired by Rosso, he rejected the Mannerism of the Fontainebleau school and devoted his masterly talents to a revival of the classical purity of later 5th century Greek art, thus paving the way for modern French sculpture. In the figure reproduced, the supple, graceful gesture, admirably composed within the architectural frame, is counterbalanced by the delicate thrust of hips and breasts. The essence of Goujon's art is summarized in the fluid movements, subtle modelling, and rippling folds - here especially appropriate to the theme - combined with accurate drawing.