Did you know that the Colonne de la Paix Armée embodies a fragile peace? It stands here as a reminder of France’s complex history. The Colonne de la Paix Armée embodies the intricate dance between a desire for peace and the ever-present threat of conflict.
This allegory reflects Franco-German relations during the Third Republic. The Third Republic emerged from the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. It was a time of both reconciliation and a longing for retribution.
The angel on the Colonne de la Paix Armée holds both an olive branch and a sword. It seems to say maintain order but stand firm against those who threaten stability. France found itself in a dilemma after the war. There was relief that the conflict was over. However, there was also a strong desire to reclaim territories lost to the enemy.
Jules-Félix Coutan designed the sculpture for the Colonne de la Paix Armée. Paul Sédille designed the column. It was initially erected in 1888 in the Square d’Anvers. The statues of Diderot and Sedaine flanked it. This ensemble symbolized the support of great minds for the Republic.
In 1968, the Colonne de la Paix Armée was removed. This removal was necessary for the construction of an underground parking lot. After the construction, it could not be returned to its original location. Its weight and height made relocation difficult. Finally in 1984, it found its new home here in Parc Montsouris.
The Colonne de la Paix Armée stands eight and a half meters tall. Jules Coutan’s bronze sculpture atop the column measures three and a half meters. It weighs 28 tons. The statue embodies the concept of armed peace. It echoes the Latin phrase If you want peace, prepare for war.
The Colonne de la Paix Armée asserts that the best way to maintain peace is through military strength. This serves as a deterrent. The sculpture is detailed. Its wings rise like a rampart. The sword is drawn but not menacing. It serves as a reminder and a warning.
The Colonne de la Paix Armée stands here to recall another republican sculpture. It is a reminder of the 1789 sculpture, La Liberté by Auguste Paris. This sculpture was melted down in 1942. Jules-Félix Coutan, the sculptor, won the Prix de Rome at 24. His most famous work is Les Chasseurs d’aigles. He died in Paris in 1939 at the age of 90.
Consider the message of the Colonne de la Paix Armée as you explore this park. It embodies the complex relationship between peace and the need to defend it.