Of modest origins, the son of a artisan in the Marais, it was after a few rudimentary studies at the Collège Charlemagne that he refused to become a merchant. Contrary to his father's wishes, he first worked for an ornamental sculptor, then attended the workshop of David D'Angers, who soon had to let him go because of his unwillingness to take advantage of the school's lessons and the trouble his exalted theories caused among the students. He then followed the advice of Antonin Moine, and initially worked under his influence, although Moine's correct and delicate talent formed an absolute contrast with his own exuberant and fiery tendencies. He made his debut at the 1833 Salon with la tuerie.

For more than ten years, the severity of his treatment kept him away from the Salon, where he did not reappear until 1849, by which time times had changed, and that year he won a second-class medal with the model of the Christ now in the church of Saint-Ferdinand des Ternes.

Later, on 26 April 1870, he was awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honour, an award he had long been seeking. He also obtained official commissions, which until then had been granted only rarely. However, he could always count on the support of his master David d'Angers, to whom he turned in difficult times.