The sculptural decorations created for the western extension of the Louvre between 1555 and 1562 define the aesthetic legacy of Jean Goujon. Operating as a sculptor, architect, draftsperson, and printmaker in sixteenth-century France, he emerged as a central figure of the French Renaissance, applying a fluid and elongated style to both public architecture and private commissions.
Early Career and Collaboration
Born in Rouen in 1510, Goujon likely spent his formative years in Normandy before beginning his recorded artistic output. His earliest documentation involves work at the church of Saint-Maclou and the Rouen Cathedral. By 1544, he moved to Paris to collaborate with architect Pierre Lescot on the church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois. This professional relationship continued at the Château d’Ecouen, where he executed projects for the Montmorency family between 1544 and 1547.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Royal Commissions and Techniques
In 1547, Goujon achieved the status of sculptor to King Henry II of France. During this period, he produced significant works including the Fountain of the Innocents in Paris, which featured six sculpted nymphs. His expertise extended into printmaking, where he provided engravings for Jean Martin's 1547 translation of Vitruvius and the 1546 French version of Francesco Colonna's Songe de Poliphile. His work was characterized by a refined approach to drapery and form, drawing inspiration from Greek sculpture traditions.
Religious Exile and Final Years
As a practicing Protestant, Goujon faced increasing pressure during the French Wars of Religion. In 1562, he fled France to avoid religious persecution, eventually settling in Italy. Historical records place him in Bologna in 1563 among a community of Huguenot refugees. He remained in Italy until his death in 1567, marking the end of a career that saw him contribute to the Église Saint-Denis de Berville and produce the Bust of a Child.
Fast facts
- Born: 1510, Rouen
- Died: 1567, Bologna
- Citizenship: France
- Primary Occupations: Sculptor, Architect, Draftsperson, Printmaker
- Religious Affiliation: Protestantism
- Notable Construction: Western extension of the Louvre (1555-1562)
- Known Royal Role: Sculptor to the king (Henry II)
Questions readers ask
What stylistic movement is Jean Goujon associated with?
He is considered a representative of Mannerism in France, known for elongated, sensual, and fluid figures.
Why did Jean Goujon leave France in 1562?
He was a Huguenot and left the country to escape the French Wars of Religion.
Achievements
- Notable work: Église Saint-Denis de Berville
- Notable work: Bust of a Child
.jpg)