Arc de Triomphe
Chalgrin, Jean François Thérèse; Rude, François; Pradier, James; Etex, Antoine
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Alternative Title
Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile
Date
1806-1836Description
Panel bas-relief depicting the Battle of Alexandria; Chalgrin's best-known work is the Arc de Triomphe, begun for Emperor Napoleon in 1806. Completed in 1836 by L. Goust (fl 1786–1836), Jean-Nicolas Huyot and Guillaume-Abel Blouet, who significantly altered the design of the attic, the Arc de Triomphe dominates the Place de l’Etoile in Paris and provides a focus for the length of the Champs-Elysées. The most noteworthy contribution to the sculptural programme is François Rude's ‘La Marseillaise’ (Departure of the Volunteers in 1792). Although it is often considered a sterile imitation of antique triumphal arches, Chalgrin's final design was the result of a progressive shift away from the pure replication of Classical prototypes. Through a systematic process of abstraction, Chalgrin reduced the traditional tripartite scheme of the triumphal arch to a single bay and eliminated all columnar decoration, creating with economical means an image of monumental achievement that captured the spirit of Napoleonic aspirations. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/13/2010)
Type of Work
triumphal arch (memorial arch); relief (sculpture); sculpture (visual work)Subject
allegory, architecture, military or war, rulers and leaders, Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815, Nineteenth century, Neoclassical
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only