Jean Goujon (active c. 1540–1563) was the leading sculptor of the French Renaissance, and the principal interpreter of Italian classical form in mid-sixteenth-century France. Working primarily in Paris, he established a sculptural language defined by elegance, proportion, and refined linearity.  His earliest securely dated major work is the monument of Louis de Brézé at Rouen Cathedral, completed around 1540, which marks the beginning of his mature career.

Goujon’s work is characterised by elongated figures, flowing draperies, and an emphasis on rhythmic outline rather than heavy modelling. His relief sculpture in particular demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of classical composition, combining clarity of structure with a lyrical sense of movement. Figures appear weightless and idealised, reflecting a learned engagement with antique sculpture filtered through French taste.

He worked closely with architects, most notably Pierre Lescot, contributing sculpture integral to major royal and civic projects. His reliefs for the Louvre and the celebrated Fontaine des Innocents represent the high point of French Renaissance sculpture, in which architecture and sculpture form a unified classical ensemble.

Goujon’s career was cut short, probably as a result of the religious conflicts of the 1560s. Despite his relatively brief period of activity, his influence was profound, establishing a model of sculptural classicism that shaped French art for generations.