Pair of candelabra bearing the arms of the Duke of York (1763–1827), Paris, France

Jean Guillaume Moitte was the son of a sculptor and received his early training in his father's workshop. He later studied at the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture in Paris, where he won the Prix de Rome in 1775. Moitte's style was influenced by the neoclassical movement that was popular in France in the late 18th century. He was known for his skilful use of marble and his ability to create lifelike portraits. One of his most famous works is the statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, which he created in 1808. Moitte also worked on a number of public monuments, including the Fontaine des Innocents in Paris and the statue of Louis XVI on the Place de la Concorde. He was appointed a professor at the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1795 and was later made a member of the Legion of Honour. Moitte died in Paris on 2 September 1810. His legacy lives on through his many sculptures, which can be found in museums and public spaces throughout France.