Oscar Roty was born in Paris in 1846. His full name was Louis-Oscar Roty. He learnt painting and sculpting under Lecoq de Boisboudran, Poncarme and Dumont. In 1872 he entered the Prix de Rome competition and received a second prize. He was awarded the Grand Rrix de Rome in 1875 and spent three years in Italy before returning to Paris. In 1888 he was appointed professor and in 1897 President of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. In 1889 he was awarded a Grand Prix at the Exposition Universelle in Paris and was created Officer of the Legion of Honor the same year. In 1905 he received a medal of honour at the Salon. He became a Commander of the Legion of Honor which crowned a very successful career. His works are to be found in many European museums, with a large selection of his medals and plaques being exhibited in the Kunsthalle in Hamburg and the Musée Oscar Roty in Jargeau/France. He died in 1911.