A Legacy Forged in Stone: The Life and Art of Guillaume Coustou the Elder Guillaume Coustou the Elder emerged from a Lyon steeped in artistic tradition, born in 1677 into a family that would leave an indelible mark on French sculpture. His lineage was one of creative prowess; his uncle, Antoine Coysevox, already enjoyed renown as a royal sculptor, and his brother, Nicolas Coustou, would also achieve significant acclaim. This familial environment provided the fertile ground for young Guillaume’s artistic development, instilling in him a deep understanding of traditional techniques and an appr…