FRANCOIS POMPON (1855-1933),French sculptor, student of Rodin and famous for his stylized animal figures. Receiving encouragement from Rodin, he produced some stunning works such as the Polar Bear shown at the 1922 Salon d'Automne. By the age of 67, he had become famous and produced many other masterpieces during the last ten years of his career.ABOUT THE ARTIST: Pompon was born in Saulieu in French Burgundy as the son of a carpenter. At his fifteenth he takes service with a stonemason in Dijon where he learns the principles of sculpting and attends evening classes at l'Ecole des Beaux Arts.