Claude Michel, known as Clodion (1738-1814)
Claude Michel, who worked under the name Clodion, was a French sculptor and artist who became one of the foremost
creators of small-scale terracotta sculptures during the late Rococo and early Neoclassical periods.
Early Life and Training
Born in Nancy, France, to a family of sculptors, Clodion received his initial training from his uncle Lambert-Sigisbert Adam.
He later studied at the Royal Academy in Paris and won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1759,
allowing him to spend several formative years studying classical sculpture in Italy (1762-1771).
Artistic Style and Contributions
Clodion's work is characterized by:
Mastery of terracotta as a medium, achieving remarkable fluidity and delicacy
Creation of intimate, often playful sculptural groups featuring nymphs, satyrs, and bacchantes
Graceful, sensual figures that epitomize the late Rococo aesthetic
Later work showing influence of Neoclassicism while maintaining distinctive lightness.
Notable Works
"Nymph and Satyr" (various versions)
"The Intoxication of Wine" (1775)
"The Dance of Time" (clock case, 1788)
"Bacchante Supported by Bacchus" (c.1795)
Decorative friezes for the Hôtel de la Monnaie in Paris.
Legacy
Though his reputation diminished temporarily during the height of Neoclassicism, Clodion's work became highly sought
after by collectors in the 19th century and remains prized for its technical virtuosity and charm.
His sculptures capture the elegance, sensuality, and playfulness of late 18th-century French art.
His works are held in major museum collections including the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Clodion represents an important bridge between the Rococo and Neoclassical styles in European sculpture,
maintaining the graceful spirit of the former while incorporating classical elements of the latter
