In connection with this phase of modern French art, reference must be made to the work of Falguière. Apart from its intrinsic merit, Falguière’s influence among the younger French sculptors is enormous. The wonderful facility in modelling which is so common in France is in large measure due to his teaching and example.
DUBOIS
SAINT JOHN
Luxembourg, Paris
IDRAC
MERCURY INVENTING THE CADUCEUS
Luxembourg, Paris
From these illustrations it will be plain that the whole of the French academical school inclines to sacrifice too much to the graces. Aided by an almost perfect technique, its masters have little difficulty in securing their one aim—abstract beauty. But they fail to avoid showing in their marbles and bronzes a marked lifelessness obviously due to the adoption of a foreign convention. In these days, the French sculptor does not follow Canova. He forms his style upon semi-Italian, semi-Greek lines, laid down by an entity—the École des Beaux Arts.