[Born at Dijon, in France, 1674. Died in Paris, 1762. Aged 88.]
Styled the _Æschylus_ of France. Educated by the Jesuits, and intended
for the law, he produced, in 1705, his first play, “Idomeneus.” A
subsequent effort, the tragedy of “Rhadamistus,” placed him at once in
advance of all the tragic poets who lingered on the stage after
Corneille and Racine had quitted it. Disgusted, at a later period, with
Court neglect, and the decline of popularity, he withdrew from the
world, and passed a life of abstinence amidst a large number of cats and
dogs, whose attachment, he said, consoled him for man’s ingratitude. In
1731, elected a member of the French Academy. Towards the close of his
days the sun once more smiled upon his fortunes. He received a pension
through Madame Pompadour of 2,400 French livres; and the King of France
caused his works to be printed at the Louvre press. As a tragic author
he takes high rank. Too fond of dealing in horrors, but all his works
have warmth, energy, and varied action. He was proud, independent, and
alive to his own defects.
[The marble bust from which this was taken was executed after a model
from the life, by the celebrated sculptor, J. B. Lemoyne, in 1760. The
marble was carved by J. B. Huez, in 1778, as the inscription tells us.
The only notice of Huez, who has often been considered the author of
the bust, is in “Les Salons” of Diderot, where he is mentioned amongst
the contributors to the exhibitions of the day, and not in
complimentary terms. Lemoyne was a Parisian, and died in 1778. He did
many busts.]