Mathurin Moreau

Sculptor (1822–1912)

Born in Dijon in 1822 into a family of artists, Mathurin Moreau entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he was awarded the Second Grand Prix de Rome in 1842. He began exhibiting at the Salon in 1848, swiftly establishing himself as one of the most prolific sculptors of his era. His graceful, academic style found its finest expression in feminine and allegorical figures. Early in his career, he collaborated with the decorative arts industry: major foundries, foremost among them the Val d'Osne, cast his models in iron and bronze to adorn fountains, gardens, and monuments both in France and abroad. He was awarded a Medal of Honour at the 1878 Exposition Universelle. A highly respected figure, he also served as mayor of the 19th arrondissement of Paris. He died in 1912, leaving behind an abundant oeuvre that remains deeply sought-after today, encompassing edition bronzes, decorative sculptures, and grand figurative lighting fixtures.