Did you know? Where is the largest caryatid in Paris and what is its history?

The caryatid at 57 rue Turbigo is a true architectural treasure, little known to the general public. Dating from 1859, this female sculpture supporting a cornice on the façade of a building is the tallest in Paris. The work of architect Auguste Emile Delange, it remains a mystery to this day as to its origin and significance.

Caryatids are a type of statue, usually feminine, used in place of a column or pilaster, supporting a cornice or balcony on its head or with its hands. They are found in great numbers in Paris, particularly in the Grands Boulevards and Garnier Opera districts. There are over 500 of them in the capital, symbolizing values such as love, wealth and passion.

The caryatid at 57 rue Turbigo is over 3 storeys high, making it the tallest in the city. Its large wings give it the appearance of a protective angel watching over the crossroads of Arts et Métiers. Carrying a sprig of myrrh in her left hand, she could be referring to the esoteric mysteries of Eleusis, an ancient Greek myth.

As for her appellation, this caryatid has been nicknamed "the angel of the bizarre", "the genie", or "the woman with the bag" because of the small pouch she holds in her right hand. Surrealist novelist Raymond Queneau suggested that one of the building's residents had won the lottery and wished to pay homage to an angel he had seen in his dreams.

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Did you know?

• Caryatids date back to Greek antiquity. According to the Roman architect Vitruvius, the origin of caryatids goes back to the punishment of the inhabitants of Karyes, a city in the Peloponnese. The Karyes had allied themselves with the Persians against the other Greek cities. After the Greek victory over the Persians, the people of Karyes were punished: the men were executed and the women enslaved. To commemorate this punishment, the architects of the time replaced the columns of public buildings with statues representing the women of Karyes, thus giving rise to the caryatids.
  
• It's also interesting to note that male caryatids exist and are calledAtlantes. They take their name from Atlas, the titan of Greek mythology condemned to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. Although less common than female caryatids, Atlantes can be found on some buildings, adding a touch of diversity and balance to architectural facades.
  
• Finally, another anecdote relates to Second Empire clothing fashions immortalized by the caryatid on rue Turbigo. The statue wears a pleated dress, reminiscent of the crinoline dresses in vogue at the time. These dresses were made with draped fabrics and voluminous petticoats supported by horsehair underwires, hence the name "crinoline". The caryatid is thus an artistic and historical testimony to Parisian fashion in the mid-19th century.
  

Located a stone's throw from the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris's 3rd arrondissement, this astonishing work of art is well worth a visit. Don't hesitate to look up to contemplate this exceptional monument and marvel at this giant caryatid that defies time and the elements.