In Brazil, the Christ the Redeemer statue towering over Rio de Janeiro from the Corcovado mountain presents a monumental image, arms outstretched over the Brazilian megacity. Few passersby realize it, but there’s an unexpected common thread between this iconic Rio landmark and Paris. The artist who created this Brazilian giant also shaped a sculpture that one can spot roaming the streets of the capital.
The work in question is none other than the famous statue of Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, proudly set atop the Pont de la Tournelle. Commissioned to watch over the city, this sculpture embodies the devotion and protection attributed to the historical figure who is said to have saved Lutetia from invasions.
To truly grasp the power of this Parisian work, you have to look at the style that defines Paul Landowski's oeuvre: monumental Art Deco. A major artistic movement between the wars, Art Deco is characterized by streamlined lines, rigorous geometric forms, and a monumental sensibility drawn from both antiquity and the modern industrial age.
In his work, Landowski seeks, above all, to exalt human strength and spirituality through massive forms, graphic drapery, and a striking verticality. Whether shaping the outstretched arms of the giant Christ in Brazil or draping the protective figure of the patron saint of Paris, who cradles a nave in her arms on the Pont de la Tournelle, the artist uses stone to anchor these symbols firmly in public space.
Did you know? Sainte-Geneviève, patron saint of Paris, saved the capital from invasion by the Huns!
An emblematic but often overlooked figure of the capital, Sainte Geneviève saved Lutetia from Attila's invasion in the 5th century. A true heroine whose imprint still marks the heights of Paris's 5th arrondissement! [Read more]
Before Paris, there was Lutetia. During Antiquity, the capital was part of the Roman Empire, and some of its remains are still visible today... if you know where to look! Here's where to discover the ruins of Lutetia in Paris. Let's take a stroll in the footsteps of the ancient city! [Read more]
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Did you know? Sainte-Geneviève, patron saint of Paris, saved the capital from invasion by the Huns!
Where can you see the remains of Lutetia, the Paris of antiquity? Walk in the footsteps of the ancient city
