“A block of salt that has been left out in the rain” was one description. We’re standing before a testament to Parisian artistry. It’s a statue that has sparked both admiration and controversy. Today, we explore the story of the Hélice du Mariette le ROCH Statue.
This city is intimately linked to urban planning. Statues eventually become invisible to those who see them every day. Let’s rediscover them.
One such statue is the Balzac. Newspapers of the time did not mince words. They also called it “an unwrapped statue”. This was when it was exhibited in 1898 at the National Society of Fine Arts.
The criticism was virulent. The Society of People of Letters of France sought a more suitable monument. They turned to sculptor Alexandre Falguière. Auguste Rodin died in 1917. He never saw his Balzac cast in bronze.
It wasn’t until 1938 that Paris accepted the donation of the statue. This was in accordance with the Rodin Balzac Committee’s wishes. The statue could then be erected in a public square. On July 1, 1939, Balzac was finally inaugurated. It was placed at the corner of boulevards Raspail and Montparnasse.
Consider also the statue of Maria Deraismes. Parisian sculptor Louis-Ernest Barrias wanted accuracy. He used photographs for the facial features and clothes. This made the rendering highly accurate. Maria Deraismes lived from 1828 to 1894. She was an orator, feminist, and philosopher. She founded the Masonic Order of Human Rights. She also founded the Society for the Improvement of Women’s Lot. She advocated for their rights.
Then there’s the Monument to Gavarni. Sculptor Denys Puech created it. It pays tribute to the illustrator Paul Gavarni. Gavarni lived in this part of Paris from 1804 to 1866. He was famous for his everyday scenes. He caricatured human and bourgeois behavior. He liked to sketch the Parisian people. The monument reminds us he specialized in illustrating the Paris Carnival.
We also have The Montmartroise. Théophile Camel sculpted it. It was presented at the 1906 Salon. It met with great success. The city of Paris acquired it. It was unveiled in the Square Carpeaux in 1907. This elegant young woman is from working-class Paris. She represents the starry-eyed girl. She might be a textile worker or seamstress. She could also be a milliner. These women were often seen in the northern suburbs of Paris. They also frequented the Tuileries Gardens.
Another interesting statue in Paris is the equestrian statue of Joan of Arc. It’s in the Place des Pyramides. Emmanuel Frémiet created it. The sculpture pays tribute to the Maid of Orléans. She is an emblematic figure of courage and determination.
The statue was erected on February 20, 1874. It was unveiled the same year. It rests on a pedestal designed by architect Paul Abadie. It is surrounded by a protective grille designed by Gabriel Davioud. The Thiébaut Frères foundry produced the bronze work. Initial reception was mixed. Some criticized the horse’s imposing dimensions. It seemed to overshadow the delicate female figure riding it.
In 1889, Frémiet unveiled a revised version. Art critic Paul Mantz praised the originality and value of the first version. He noted the striking contrast between Joan of Arc’s youthfulness and her sturdy mount. Despite initial reservations, the statue had won the admiration of connoisseurs. They saw no reason to modify it.
The Hélice du Mariette le ROCH Statue, like these others, stands as a symbol. It represents artistic expression. It also embodies Parisian history. It invites us to reflect on the stories etched in bronze and stone. As you continue your exploration of Paris, remember the tales behind these statues. They are silent witnesses to the city’s vibrant past.