Emmanuel Frémiet

Emmanuel Frémiet was born in Paris on 6 December 1824 and trained under his uncle, the sculptor François Rude. He made his name with closely observed bronzes of animals and with public monuments. His equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, in gilded bronze, was inaugurated at the Place des Pyramides in Paris in 1874; Frémiet later revised the figure, and the present statue dates from 1899. Joan is shown in armor, holding her banner, a compact image of courage and vocation that became one of the best-known modern monuments to her in France. Frémiet also taught at the Natural History Museum in Paris and produced many other public works. He died in Paris on 10 September 1910.

See also: Joan of Arc