250th anniversary of François-Joseph Bosio’s birth commemorated

©DREC

The Principality of Monaco, through its Embassy in Paris, commemorated the 250^th anniversary of the birth of internationally renowned Monegasque sculptor François-Joseph Bosio on 19 April 2018. 

Several events were organised in the Principality to mark the anniversary and promote Bosio’s work to a wider audience. 

In Paris, Monaco’s Ambassador in France H.E. Mr Claude Cottalorda laid flowers on the sculptor's grave at the Père Lachaise Cemetery, watched by Mr Denis Baïlle, a descendant of the artist, Mr Aymeric Peniguet de Stoutz, Director of the Expiatory Chapel, and diplomats from the Embassy. 

This ceremony was followed by a visit to the Expiatory Chapel, where Ms Jeanne de Hauteserre, Mayor of Paris’s 8^th arrondissement, and Mr Peniguet de Stoutz received the Ambassador and the Monegasque delegation, giving them an opportunity to admire the two white marble sculptures depicting Louis XVI, Bosio’s masterpiece, and Louis’ wife Marie-Antoinette, by Jean-Pierre Cortot. 

In addition to numerous busts (of Napoleon, Empress Josephine, her daughter Hortense, Napoleon II, Louis XVIII, etc.) Bosio’s most important works include the Equestrian Statue of Louis XIV (Place des Victoires, Paris), the Quadriga of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel (Jardin des Tuileries), Hercules Wrestling Achelous Transformed into a Snake (Louvre), and The Nymph Salmacis (Louvre). 

The Principality of Monaco also offers many reminders of Bosio and his work: on the Rocher a small square adorned with a bust of the sculptor bears his name; Rue Bosio runs between Boulevard Rainier III and Boulevard du Jardin Exotique; the Monaco Art School Pavilion Bosio is named after him; and the Prince’s Palace and Nouveau Musée National de Monaco hold a number of his works. Finally, winners at the Monaco International Television Festival are presented with trophies which are reproductions of Bosio’s Nymph Salmacis.