(1793 - 1863)
Denis Foyatier was born at Bussières in the Loire. His father was a weaver, who later worked as a farmer. After studying a design course at Lyon, Foyatier entered the École National Supérieure des Beaux-arts in Paris. At 26 he won a scholarship to the French Academy in Rome. A royal commission in 1828 for a marble version of his sculpture ‘Spartacus’, which he had begun in Rome, helped to secure Foyatier’s career. He also produced paintings. Foyatier died at the age of 70 and is buried at the Petit-Clamart cemetery on the outskirts of Paris. Sadly several of his works were melted down during the Second World War. His son, Jules Blanchard, also became a sculptor. Examples of his work are in the Louvre and at Versailles.
