Simon Guillain: Sculptor of Royal Grace and Baroque Power Simon Guillain (1581-1658), a name perhaps less familiar than some of his contemporaries, nevertheless stands as a pivotal figure in the artistic landscape of 17th-century France. Born in Paris during a period of immense cultural and political transformation, Guillain’s career coincided with the height of the French Baroque, and he became inextricably linked to the grandeur of Louis XIII and XIV. More than simply a sculptor, he was a master craftsman who expertly blended classical ideals with the dramatic flair characteristic of the e…