François-Thomas Germain (1726–1791) was a French silversmith who was often commissioned by European royalty. In addition to his work for the French court, François-Thomas Germain also received notable commissions from foreign courts, including a large order from Empress Elizabeth of Russia and significant commissions from the Portuguese court.[1] He inherited the title of royal silversmith and sculptor to the King of France from his father, Thomas Germain. In 1765, Germain broke guild regulations by working with financiers to receive some debts owed to him, as he was only allowed to enter into partnerships with his fellow smiths. For this he was forced to resign his position and declare bankruptcy.
François-Thomas Germain | |
|---|---|
 Germain is thought to have introduced this popular model of candlestick in Paris in 1757–1758. | |
| Born | 1726 |
| Died | 23 January 1791 (aged 64) Paris, Kingdom of France |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation(s) | Silversmith, sculptor |
| Parent(s) | Thomas Germain (father) Anne-Denise Gauchelet (mother) |
Germain died out of the public eye in 1791, the last member of his distinguished family to serve as a royal smith. Many of his works are now held in museums and private collections.
Curiously enough, due to the French Revolution and other hazards of history, the biggest portion of his production now belongs to countries other than France—namely Portugal and Russia.
In popular culture
editA fictionalized version of Germain appears in the 2014 video game Assassin's Creed Unity, as a member of the Templar Order and the main antagonist. He was chosen for the game because of his real-life talent and "unexplained demise."[2]
References
edit- ^ Stockbauer, J. (1888). "The Germain Family of Goldsmiths". The Connoisseur. 3 (2): 79–83. doi:10.2307/25581207. ISSN 2151-1276.
- ^ Bremer-David, Charissa (July 23, 2018). "Meet the Real François-Thomas Germain, Sculptor-Silversmith of the Enlightenment". The Getty Iris. J. Paul Getty Trust. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
External links
edit- Some of the masterpieces in the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon
- Some of the masterpieces in the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, Lisbon
- Museu Gulbenkian, Lisbon
- Hermitage Museum, Saint-Petersburg
- Getty Museum, Los Angeles
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New-York
- Musée du Louvre, Paris
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris
- Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon
- One of the tureens in the Museu Gulbenkian, Lisbon
- Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland
- Walters Art Museum, Maryland
- nr.112, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
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