François Forster

1790 Le Locle – 1872 Paris

Having initially trained as an engraver of watches, the Swiss engraver and lithographer, François Forster, departed in 1805 for Paris, where he enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts and studied under Pierre Gabriel Langlois. In 1814 he won the coveted Prix de Rome, but at first could not undertake the study visit to Italy to which the award entitled him. A scholarship from the Prussian state eventually enabled him to spend two years studying in Rome. After returning to Paris, Forster regularly exhibited his works at the Salon and received numerous honours. He became a French national in 1828 and was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour ten years later.