| Summary: | This article analyses the networks of sculptor Edme Bouchardon from Chaumont who, after a long period of training in Rome, became sculptor to the king in Paris. Our study shows that throughout his life Edme maintained close relations with his family in Chaumont, where his father, Jean-Baptiste, had his studio. Edme tried to support his family and his parents in Chaumont by securing jobs and commissions for them. He used his Parisian and Versailles contacts to facilitate the social success of family members, in particular his younger brother, Jacques-Philippe.Further, we focus on the relations of the highly successful sculptor with his students: Edme has sometimes supported them, but he was also wary of their competition. This is the case with Laurent Guiard, originally from Chaumont, and Louis-Claude Vassé. However, it is clear that Edme did not privilege recruiting students or collaborators from his native region: the family network always prevailed over regional contacts.
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