Philippe Grass French sculptor and artist of Alsatian origin Date of Birth: 06.05.1801 Country: France

Biography of Philippe Grass

Philippe Grass was a French sculptor and artist of Alsatian origin, known for his work in the Neoclassical style. He began his training at the age of 16 under sculptors Landolin Onmacht and François-Joseph Bozza. As a young sculptor, Grass created bronze statues of General Kléber and prefect Andrien de Lezay-Marnésia, as well as numerous sculptures for the Strasbourg Cathedral.

From 1820 to 1823, Grass studied at the School of Fine Arts in Paris before returning to Alsace. He became the recognized Sculptor of the Strasbourg Cathedral and worked in its workshop to restore and recreate copies of old statues destroyed during the French Revolution. Grass was also a close friend of Breton writer Émile Souvestre and created a monument for his grave at the Père-Lachaise Cemetery after his death.

In 1865, Grass was knighted in the Order of the Legion of Honour. During the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, when Strasbourg was besieged by Prussian forces, a portion of Grass's works housed in the local Museum of Fine Arts were destroyed when the museum was set on fire during artillery bombardment. Grass passed away as a result of a stroke.