Born in Paris in 1730, Augustin Pajou received his early training in the French capital before achieving early recognition by winning the Prix de Rome at the age of eighteen. This prestigious award allowed him to further his studies in Italy, where he refined his technical approach to marble and terracotta sculpture.

Pajou is celebrated for his mastery of portraiture and his contributions to the decorative arts during the reign of Louis XVI. His signature work often features expressive, finely detailed busts that capture the likenesses of contemporary figures, alongside large-scale mythological compositions such as his notable depiction of Pluto.

His work continues to be a subject of interest in the international art market, as evidenced by the recent sale of a terracotta bust at Artcurial in 2026, which achieved a final price of over €400,000. His legacy remains central to the study of French neoclassical sculpture.