Beneath its dark green cast iron exterior, the Wallace Fountain stands as a testament to Parisian generosity. It is more than just a water source. It embodies a pivotal moment in Parisian history.
Let’s step back to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Paris was besieged and its aqueducts damaged. Clean water became scarce and expensive. The poor were tempted to drink alcohol instead.
Sir Richard Wallace saw this problem. He was a British art collector and philanthropist. He decided to help the people of Paris by providing free drinking water. Wallace envisioned beautiful and useful fountains. He wanted them to be tall enough to see but not disrupt the landscape. They should also be affordable and easy to maintain.
Wallace hired Charles-Auguste Lebourg a sculptor from Nantes. Lebourg refined Wallace’s sketches. He transformed them into true works of art. The Wallace Fountain features four caryatids. These female figures represent kindness simplicity charity and sobriety. Each figure is unique. Their knees bend differently and their tunics are draped distinctively. Some say they represent the four seasons.
The first Wallace Fountain was installed in 1872. It was located on Boulevard de la Villette. The fountains quickly became popular. The city of Paris supported their installation. They provided plumbing and installation. Each large model cost about 1000 francs.
The Wallace Fountains were made in the Val d’Osne foundry. Jean Pierre Victor André invented the ornamental cast iron process. The earliest fountains have markings on the base. They show the sculptor’s name and the foundry’s name. Later fountains were made by GHM Sommevoire.
Eugène Belgrand Director of Water and Sewers of Paris chose the locations. He worked with Baron Haussmann. Haussmann was in charge of rebuilding the city.
Today over 100 grand model Wallace Fountains exist in Paris. They still dispense safe drinking water. They operate from mid-March to late fall. Eau de Paris maintains and repaints them.
Sir Richard Wallace is remembered for his art collection in London. But in Paris he is known for his generosity. The Wallace Fountain symbolizes his commitment to the common good.
These fountains exemplify Wallace’s philosophy. He wanted to help those in need. He also wanted to beautify Paris with artistry and symbolism. The Wallace Fountain stands as an iconic symbol of the city. It serves as a reminder of a time when one man’s vision quenched the thirst of an entire city.