Collot, Marie-Anne (1748–1821)
Collot, Marie-Anne (1748–1821)
French sculptor. Born in 1748 in France; died 1821 in France; studied with sculptor Étienne Maurice Falconet; m. Pierre-Étienne Falconet (painter); children: 1 daughter.
Known for her warm portrait busts, produced heads of French enlightenment figures Voltaire and Diderot (1770s) and maintained extensive correspondence with both, as well as with Montesquieu; best known for her affectionate portrait of Étienne Maurice Falconet (1773), accompanied him to Russia when only 18 to work on the monument to Peter the Great in St. Petersburg (1766), one of 18th century's most famous pieces of sculpture which had been commissioned by Catherine the Great; became 1st female member of Imperial Academy of Arts (1767); remained in Russia for 12 years, rendering many busts for members of the court of Catherine the Great as well as Catherine herself; married Falconet's son, painter Pierre-Étienne, to please elder Falconet, and moved with him to England where husband studied with Joshua Reynolds; sculpted many busts in England, including one of Lady Cathcart; unhappy, left to join elder Falconet in The Hague, living on life pension bestowed by Catherine the Great; ceased work abruptly when Falconet suffered paralytic stroke (1783), becoming devoted nurse and companion; is included in many distinguished collections, including those of Louvre museum.