François Coudray

François Coudray (* 1678 in Villecerf, now Messon, † April 29, 1727 in Dresden ) was a French sculptor active in Saxony.

Career

Coudray was a pupil of Antoine Coysevox ' and in 1712 admitted to the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture. The Saxon Elector and Polish King August the Strong overtook him in 1714, together with Jean Joseph Vinache in the Saxon capital. Coudray was appointed court sculptor Saxon Already in 1715 and received the citizenship of the city of Dresden. He decorated the vast gardens of the regents in Großsedlitz and Pillnitz with his characters. At times he worked with in the workshop of Balthasar Permoser at the kennel figures. There were often disagreements among the masters, so that Coudray finally worked independently in Dresden. He is the father of the sculptor Pierre Coudray.

He died in 1727 in Dresden and was buried in the Old Catholic Cemetery. The grave is not obtained.

Works (selection)

• Fountain bowl with cup for a fountain in the park of the manor Gönnsdorf in Dresden
• 1714 Marble bust of the Elector Friedrich August, Dresden State Art Collections
• 1718-1721: Participation in the Dresden Zwinger
• Figurine fountain in Dresden- Friedrichstadt
• 1720: two sphinxes and several still pictures from sandstone in the baroque garden
• 1725: two sphinxes on the steps of the gondola harbor Pillnitzer