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André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry (1741-1813) was a French composer of operas, a leader in the evolution of French opéra comique from light popular plays with music into semiserious musical drama. He enjoyed enormous popularity in Paris during his life-time and far into the 19th century. His statue by Stouf was formerly erected at the entrance of the Théâtre Feydeau in Paris where his music was often performed. Forty-one of his some sixty operas are inscribed on the column of this statue.
The execution of Grétry's statue is connected with the project, endorsed by the Académie Française, to create portraits of the great men of France.
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