Joan Francois Gigoux, a French painter, born in Besancon in 1806. He is said to have been originally a blacksmith, and became famous in 1835 by his "Death of Leonardo da Vinci." In 1850 he exhibited "The Dead Christ" and The Death of Cleopatra," and in 1852Galatea," which he has also engraved. One of his largest works, executed for the council of state and representing Charlemagne dictating his Capitularies," was burned in 1871.