Neoclassical sculptor of recognized talent in the late eighteenth century, the name of Louis-Simon Boizot is now unknown to the general public. His name appears frequently in the catalogs of auctions leaning against that of Sevres or that of a bronze sculptor.

Rediscovering this talented artist who gave birth to many groups bisque as well as first-rate clocks and bronzes for royal furniture.

His beginning

Louis-Simon Boizot was born in Paris in 1743, his father Antoine Boizot is designer at the factory of Gobelins tapestries. At the age of 16 he was admitted to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture and cut his teeth in the studio of the sculptor René-Michel Slodtz (1705-1764) following Antoine Houdon (1741 - 1828). In 1762 he won the Prix de Rome for sculpture and stayed in Rome from 1765 to 1770 where he rediscovered the ancient statuary then sought amateurs and executes commands for Catherine II of Russia and for many sights of Paris, the Palais Bourbon , and the churches of Sainte Genevieve and Saint Sulpice. From 1773 and until 1800 he exhibited at the Salon and in 1778 he was admitted to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture with a marble representing Meleagre now in the Louvre Museum.

Boizot and Sevres

In 1773, he succeeded to the sculptor Etienne-Maurice Falconet at the head of sculpture workshops of the Manufacture de Sèvres where he created many models of groups that are executed in biscuit. His style is marked by the neoclassicism but retains a touch of fantasy dear to Louis XV. This is particularly noticeable in its various sculptures on the theme of Venus. A vase of Sevres porcelain amphora-shaped is called "vase Boizot" but the role that our sculptor played in its creation remains unclear. He retains his position until 1800.

La toilette de Vénus d'après Louis-Simon Boizot, biscuit en porcelaine de Sèvres, vente Tajan le 15 décembre 2011.

Boizot and the bronze makers

The talent of sculptor Boizot allows him to work with the largest bronze makers of the late Louis XVI in particular Gouthière, Thomire and Remond.

Collaboration with the first finds full expression in a magnificent clock in regilded bronze, now preserved in the Wallace Collection in London. It was commissioned and donated by the city of Avignon to its governor the Duke de Rochechouart and represents the Rhone and the Durance.

Pendule dite à l'Etude d'après Louis-Simon Boizot, vente Artcurial le 22 juin 2011.

For Thomire, Boizot sculpts clay animals, sphinxes and lions that will be cast in gilt bronze andirons to serve especially for Queen Marie Antoinette at Versailles. It also performs caryatids that will be used to decorate furniture, commodes, secretaires or jewelry box as well as for lighting torches and candelabras.

Of his collaboration with Remond are born many clocks adorned with allegorical groups include in particular the model known as "the Study". It also performs many terracotta reliefs to be cast in bronze to decorate furniture including of the famous cabinetmaker David Roentgen.

Sculptor in the decorative arts, Louis-Simon Boizot knew perfectly adapt his art to changing tastes, from a transitional style between rococo and neoclassicism of his debut, to the purest neoclassicism from year 1785.

Cedric Henon, Continental Furniture specialist, valuation, appraisal, auction.

Feel free to contact our fine art specialists if you want to appraise your works of art. We also assist you in the selling of your works of art : consultancy.


Main illustration :Meleagre, marbre, Musée du Louvre.