“A secret replacement right under everyone’s noses?” Our next stop takes us to Rue Jeanne d’Arc, a street named after a French icon. While not directly related to Joan of Arc herself, it stands in the shadow of a monument that holds a secret story. Place des Pyramides boasts the famed gilded-bronze statue of Joan of Arc on horseback. Commissioned after France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, this statue was meant to embody hope and resilience. Sculpted by Emmanuel Frémiet and unveiled in 1874, it quickly drew criticism for its design. Frémiet, also commissioned for a similar statue in Nancy, decided to use that opportunity to refine his design. When construction of the Paris metro necessitated the removal of the Joan of Arc statue, Frémiet saw his chance. He secretly replaced the original statue with a replica featuring the improved design he crafted for Nancy. To further conceal the swap, he gilded the new statue, funding the entire operation himself. So, the Joan of Arc statue you see today in Place des Pyramides isn’t the original; it’s a testament to Frémiet’s dedication to his craft and a hidden piece of Parisian art history.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to