Isn’t she lovely? La Brise stands here. She gazes out over Lake Geneva.
La Brise Sculpture has watched over this spot since 1941. The sculpture is by Henri König. He was a Genevan sculptor and painter. The city held a competition to improve the quai. König won the competition two years earlier. His design was chosen to enhance the area.
La Brise is three and a half meters tall. It is made of sandstone. The sculpture depicts a woman. She is looking towards the horizon.
Interestingly, the statue’s base only shows the artist’s name and date. There is no title of the work displayed. Some press clippings called the statue La Bise. This name caused confusion because another competitor used it too. La Brise was chosen to avoid the mix-up.
When La Brise was installed, Genevans had mixed feelings. Some thought the statue was too massive. They felt it did not represent a light breeze. Others criticized her appearance and generous form. Yet, La Brise remained. She stood firm through the seasons. Today, she overlooks the public beach construction.
Henri König was born in 1896. He was born in Romanshorn in Thurgau. He spent his childhood in Kreuzlingen. In 1917, he moved to Geneva. He studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. James Vibert was one of his teachers. After graduating, he traveled. He went to Rome. In 1943, he became a professor. He taught at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Geneva. König later lived in Petit-Saconnex. He dedicated his life to his art. He died in 1983. Though he created many sculptures, he remains little known among Genevans.
Besides La Brise, you can find other works by König in Geneva. “The Little Flautist” is in the Rose Garden of Parc La Grange. “Sylvie Coming out of the Bath” is on Quai du Mont-Blanc. “La Jeunesse” is displayed in Carouge. The bronze statue “Adolescent” is in the Parc des Délices. “Les Filles” honors the Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler. It was erected in 1958 at the Promenade du Pin.
La Brise is more than a statue. She embodies Geneva’s artistic spirit. She is a testament to the vision of Henri König. She overcame initial criticism. She now stands as a symbol of beauty. She is a timeless landmark on Lake Geneva. The breeze whispers stories of art. It tells of perseverance and Genevan identity.