Jean-Pierre-Antoine Tassaert: A Life in Sculpture

• Born: Antwerp, Belgium (1727)
• Died: 1788

Jean-Pierre-Antoine Tassaert was a sculptor of Flemish extraction who achieved prominence both in France and Prussia. His career spanned the Rococo and Neoclassical periods, demonstrating an ability to adapt his style while maintaining a distinctive artistic voice.

Early Life and Training

• Born in Antwerp into a family with a history of artists, Tassaert was baptized on August 19, 1727.
• He received initial training in Antwerp before traveling to London.
• From 1744 onwards, he resided in Paris where he studied under René-Michel Slodtz, a renowned designer-sculptor associated with the French royal court. This apprenticeship was crucial in shaping his early artistic development.

Career in France

• Tassaert exhibited frequently at the Salon in Paris, showcasing small mythological and allegorical figures and groups.
• His work gained favor among the aristocracy, attracting patrons such as the Marquise de Pompadour and influential figures like Abbé Joseph Marie Terray and Baron Alexander Sergeyevich Stroganov.
• He was approved at the Académie Royale in 1769, although he never became a full member.
• In 1773, he became court sculptor to the Count of Provence (later King Louis XVIII), marking a significant milestone in his career.

Move to Berlin and Royal Sculptor

• Driven by financial considerations related to raising a large family, Tassaert relocated to Berlin with his family in 1775.
• He was appointed as the third director of the royal sculpture workshop, known as the "French Studio," reflecting its French origins and artistic influence. This appointment was facilitated by the French encyclopaedist Jean le Rond d'Alembert.
• King Frederick the Great recognized Tassaert’s talent, commissioning works such as marble statues of Bacchus, a Faun, and two Bacchantes for Sanssouci Palace.
• He created notable public sculptures, including statues of General von Seydlitz and Field Marshal von Keith for the Wilhelmplatz in Berlin. The depiction of General von Seydlitz in contemporary regimental uniform sparked debate about appropriate attire for public statues.

Legacy and Influence

• Tassaert's work bridged the Rococo and Neoclassical styles, demonstrating a versatility that appealed to various patrons.
• He trained notable sculptors, most notably Johann Gottfried Schadow, who succeeded him as court sculptor.
• His influence extended beyond sculpture; his approach to portraiture and decorative arts contributed to the artistic landscape of Berlin during the late 18th century.
• Tassaert's son, Jean-Joseph-François Tassaert, was an engraver, and his daughter, Henriette-Félicité Tassaert, was a pastel specialist. His grandson, Nicolas François Octave Tassaert, became known for genre paintings depicting the lives of Parisian citizens.