As you approach the Centre Pompidou from the north side, have you noticed the imposing figure towering over the street? Its bronze form, stretching nearly 8 meters high, is a testament to the surrealist genius of Max Ernst. This, my friends, is Le Grand Assistant. This large-scale sculpture, created in 1967, was cast in bronze in 1974 and given to the Centre Pompidou in 1975. The sculpture features a humanoid figure with outstretched arms perched atop a rectangular column, facing the museum. It is a striking example of Max Ernst’s signature style, blending elements of the human form with abstract shapes and surreal imagery. The figure, with its curious, otherworldly presence, seems to observe the bustling streets below, a silent sentinel guarding the museum’s artistic treasures. The artist, Max Ernst, was a German-born artist who became a leading figure in the Dadaist and Surrealist movements, and his sculptures, including his enigmatic Le Grand Assistant, continue to fascinate and inspire viewers worldwide.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.