Feel the cool bronze beneath your fingertips. This is La nymphe tourmentant un dauphin. A breathtaking bronze sculpture. It depicts a nymph playfully wrestling a dolphin. This magnificent work is by Joseph Flon. A sculptor lithographer and painter. He was born in Bordeaux in 1818. He died in Nice in 1896.
La nymphe tourmentant un dauphin is more than just a pretty statue. It holds a significant place in Parisian history. It originally stood near the old seal enclosure. This was in the Jardin des Plantes. The seals are gone now. The statue however remains.
Flon’s creation is remarkable for its detail. The nymph’s flowing form is exquisitely rendered. The dolphin’s musculature is equally impressive. The bronze gleams. It reflects the Parisian sunlight. The artist’s skill is undeniable.
It wasn’t always here. Flon first showed a plaster model in 1863. He received a medal. It was a third-class medal. He also received a medal recall in 1863. This was specifically for La nymphe tourmentant un dauphin. The bronze version was acquired in 1867. The price was a hefty 9000 francs. The statue found its permanent home in the Jardin des Plantes in 1868.
La nymphe tourmentant un dauphin has endured. It’s a testament to Flon’s talent. It’s also a silent witness to the changes in the Jardin des Plantes. It has stood the test of time. Its beauty continues to captivate visitors. This is a truly special statue. It deserves your admiration. It’s a treasure of Paris. A symbol of enduring artistic excellence.