Identity:
A pupil of François Rude, the sculptor Just Becquet may have met JW as a student in Paris.
Life:
JW's etching of him, Becquet (K.52), dates from 1859, and shows him playing a cello. He is recorded as working as 'sculpteur statuaire' at 83 Rue Enfer, Paris, from 1860-1866 and later at 27 Rue de la Procession. Many of his works were of allegorical figures or portrait busts. There are examples of his work in the Musée d'Orsay, Paris and the Bibliothèque Nationale.
Bibliography:
Bottin, Sebastien, Almanach du Commerce de Paris ..., Paris; Bénézit, E., Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs, 8 vols, 1956-61; 'Just Becquet,' http://www.insecula.com (accessed 2004).