Jean-Pierre Saint-Ours was born to a family of French Huguenot refugees who settled in Geneva in the final decades of the 17^thcentury. He likely began his artistic training under the guidance his father, Jacques, a draftsmen and enamel painter. In 1769 he moved to Paris to further his artistic training under Joseph-Marie Vien. In 1780, he won the Prix de Rome, but was denied a place at Académie de France, as he was not a French citizen. Not an official member of the Académie, he was not eligible for large official commissions, although he participated in Académie exhibitions. After the fall of the ancien régime he was elected to the Genevan Assemblée Nationale, organizing the inauguration of public monuments, reforming artistic institutions, and preparing designs for currency and official costumes.