Dome

La Jeunesse (Youth) by Alexandre Descatoire, detail, upper half; Proposals to rebuild Gabriel Davioud’s Palais du Trocadéro for the Exposition Internationale (1937) in Paris resulted in Carlu's design for the Palais de Chaillot (with Louis Hippolyte Boileau and Leon Azéma (1888-1978)), enclosing within its two curved wings parts of the original structure. A monumental but well-proportioned building, it reflected the austere neo-classicism of the 1930s; its terraces form a strong perspective across the River Seine to the Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars. [Between these two wings the esplanade called the Place des Droits de l'Homme dominates the view of the Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars. The upper terrace is bordered with a reflecting pool/fountain and eight gilded bronze statues. These represent Youth (Alexander Descatoire), Flora (Marcel Gimond), Le Matin (Pryas) Campaign (Paul Cornet), Birds (Lucien Brasseur), Gardens (Robert Couturier), Spring (Paul Niclausse), and Fruits (Felix Desruelles).] Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 5/6/2011)