Who would guess that a statue could embody such a rich history? L’Abondance Sculpture, located on the East Wing of the Louvre Museum, is more than just a beautiful artwork. It’s a testament to French artistry and history. The statue depicts Abundance, a female figure overflowing with fruits, wheat, and grains. Jacques Leonard Maillet meticulously sculpted these details in marble, bringing the allegory to life. L’Abondance Sculpture wasn’t always here in its niche, overlooking the Cour Carrée. It began as a plaster model, commissioned in 1858. Maillet presented this model at the 1859 Salon. The French State then commissioned him to create the marble version we see today. This marble L’Abondance Sculpture was completed for the Louvre’s courtyard in 1860. Maillet, a Prix de Rome winner, specialized in decorative sculpture for public buildings. This is evident in the intricate detail of L’Abondance. He received the Legion of Honour for his contributions to French art. Finding L’Abondance among the Louvre’s facade is a treasure hunt in itself. It’s the sixth niche from the right, just to the right of the pavilion when viewed from the Cour Carrée. It’s interesting to note there’s no statue in the niche to the left of the Aile Est Passage du Pavillon Saint Germain l’Auxerrois. This makes L’Abondance even more special as it fills its own unique space.
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.