Jean Guillaume, an eminent sculptor, was the son of a well-known engraver, and was born in Paris in 1747. So marked was his talent at a very early age, that the sculptor Pigalle, who was then at the head of his profession, requested to have him for a pupil. In a short time young Moitte fully justified this high opinion. His statue of "David carrying the head of Goliath" gained for him the grand prize in sculpture, and the privilege of studying at the French Academy in Rome. Accordingly he proceeded to Italy in 1768, and set himself with great enthusiasm to the study of the architectural fragments of old Rome, and the masterpieces of the great sculptors of ancient Greece. His progress was rapid, and it was then that he began to evince that correctness of design, beauty of proportion, variety of expression, and happy choice of draperies, which became so conspicuous in his subsequent works. Compelled by ill health to return to his native city in 1773, Moitte began to execute several great national works. Among these were the bas-reliefs of several of the barriers of Paris, the colossal figures representing the provinces of Bretagne and Normandy, the statue of Cassini, the bas-reliefs in the Louvre, of Moses, Numa, and the Historic Muse, and an equestrian statue in bronze of Bonaparte. About this time he was decorated by the emperor with the cross of the Legion of Honour. Moitte died in May 1810.