Henri Michel Chapu
1833-1891
The French sculptor and metal artist made his debut at the age of 22 at a major exhibition at the Paris Salon in 1855. Chapu was so convincing there that one of his works was awarded the "Prix de Rome" by the Rome Academy of Art. This also included a scholarship of several years in the Italian capital.
He was inspired by themes from ancient mythology and combined them with the typical naturalistic style of that time. In this way, his figures experience an idealistic elevation, as does the famous "Statue of the Cantata", which adorns the main entrance of the Opéra de Paris. Chapu's sensitive works were popular. He received many commissions for public spaces. Among others, the statue of the jurist Pierre-Antoine Berryer for the Paris Palace of Justice was his creation.
