This carved granite sculpture extends diagonally across a tiny corner fitted with a park bench near a busy intersection in our neighbourhood. As there is no descriptive plaque accompanying the memorial, I've asked local residents to explain its origins. No one has been able to tell me with certainty. Does the sculpture depict Christ being mourned by Mary and another weeping woman and child? Or is it a monument to French soldiers who died in World War I? As this is Ascension Day, I'll apply poetic license to logic and consider the first possibility. Then again, the weeping woman might represent La France and the frightened-looking child, the children of France. My apologies to the sculptor's descendants, as these interpretations are based on conjecture, not fact.
This is so beautiful. You're right, it does look like a Pieta. The personification of France is as good a guess as any, I think. And the child reminds me of the quote "suffer the little children to come unto me."
Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece!
Posted by: boliyou | 26 May 2006 at 02:29
wonderful photo; wondering if that angel is blowing life into him?
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 25 May 2006 at 19:33
There is something almost "art nouvea-ish" about the woman on the right...do you have any idea when it was sculpted?
My favorite scuplture in Paris is the one at the fountain in les Jardins du Luxembourg where the woman is in almost the same position (as the man here) in her lover's arms...Fontaine de Medicis
Posted by: susanlavonne | 25 May 2006 at 14:44
Whatever it may represent, it is truly beautiful. If beauty can be found in suffering, then it can be found here.
Posted by: Annie | 25 May 2006 at 06:13
Interesting -- it DOES look like a Deposition at first glance, but usually the symbolism is so clear and obvious and there's no cross, and who would the child be? Hm. Wonder what it is! Lucky you, regardless, to live amongst such treasures. All we have is a George Washington on one corner, and the recently gilded equestrian Jean d'Arc in the traffic circle that we like to refer to as "Joan of Arc's bowling trophy!"
Posted by: Laini | 25 May 2006 at 05:40
Whatever it is , it is beautiful. Sculpture is my favorite form of art. I used to work in clay, years ago... It is a part of myself I need to get back in touch with, that went to the wayside when the babies moved in.
While visiting Paris, the sculpture all over was my favorite part! I couldn't believe it. I have a whole scrapbook with just pictures of the sculptures,LOL! And I kept saying to Kory, how anyone of them was amazing enough to be world famous, and how funny it is that circumstance only makes some artist "great" by history's standards, you know?
:)
Posted by: amber | 25 May 2006 at 03:10