These magnificent bronze horses before you are not the originals. They are copies. The originals? They stand proudly in the Louvre Museum’s Cour Marly. But let’s talk about these impressive replicas the Chevaux de Marly. They stand exactly where they once did. These sculptures mark a unique piece of French history.
Created by Guillaume Coustou between 1743 and 1745 these are among his last works. Commissioned by Louis XV they were originally meant for the chateau de Marly. They replaced earlier sculptures by Antoine Coysevox. Coustou’s masterpieces depict two rearing horses powerfully restrained by their grooms. These aren’t just horses. They represent untamed energy controlled by human skill.
For many years these replicas stood where you now stand. However the original Chevaux de Marly were moved to the Place de la Concorde in 1794. They stood there for years. Restoration work was done in 1840 by Louis-Denis Caillouette. Eventually the annual military parades on July 14 proved too damaging.
So in 1984 a decision was made. The original sculptures moved to the Louvre Museum. These wonderful copies took their place. Michel Bourbon created the copies. They are almost indistinguishable from the originals. Their placement near the trough at Marly was overseen by architect Serge Macel. Bouygues a construction company even got a bonus copy. It’s now in one of their buildings.
The smaller-scale reproductions of the Chevaux de Marly were incredibly popular. They showcased the Romantic artists’ love of equestrian themes. The sculptures even inspired a test card used on French TV. Think of these horses. They are more than just art. They are symbols of power. They represent a time of French grandeur. They also show the continuing appreciation of French artistry. The impact of the Chevaux de Marly continues to inspire even today.