François Rude was a prominent French sculptor born on January 4, 1784, in Dijon, France. He is best known for his work during the Romantic period, which emphasized emotion and individualism. Rude's most famous piece is the monumental sculpture titled La Marseillaise, which adorns the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Rude's artistic style combined classical techniques with a dynamic sense of movement and expression. Throughout his career, he created various sculptures and reliefs that often depicted historical and allegorical themes. He passed away on November 3, 1855, leaving a lasting impact on French sculpture.