No, it's not a monument dedicated to the sales(!) but to the National Convention, a historical period that took place in 1792, when the populace of Paris stormed the Tuileries and demanded the abolition of the monarchy. The Legislative Assembly decreed the provisional suspension of King Louis XVI and the convocation of this so called "national convention". This odd monument, is to be seen inside the Pantheon, where I took this picture.
The subject is quite serious, I know, but I can't help to laugh when I see these statues. And their faces show so much anger...
ReplyDeleteBut the real cause for my laughter is that when I saw the statue I remember that, as a child, I acted in a school play. The play was about the National Convention, and I played Robespierre! The not-so-funny thing is that I had to use those pants and pantyhoses!!! (actually called culotte et bas de soie).
You know Eric I didn't live so far away from the Pantheon at one point and I don't think I ever visited. This is one place I'll have to go back to for sure when I go to "the other side" (of the river that is!).
ReplyDeleteSomething else of interest:
ReplyDeleteI came across this blog by Louis la Vache and there's a long story (I honestly haven't read the entire text) that I think gives even more background.
I seem to be quite ignorant about the Pantheon. I'll have to read up on it. The monument is very different from most...in an intersting sort of way
ReplyDeleteThe "Populace" ??
ReplyDeleteHow dare you spleaking from the people this way !
From this angle, and not being able to see their faces, they look rather like a chorus line!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the title to the shot. Wonderfully irreverant.
ReplyDeleteI visited the Pantheon, but missed this sculpture. Silly me. I did enjoy fabulous views from above the city, standing outside the dome. The Pantheon is pretty, but somehow lacked the emotional depth for me that I normally feel in beautiful places. The pendulum is great. Is it that dry science overcame the original passion of religion that built the Pantheon? Ooh, that could start a fight. Don't miss the carved spiral stair of the rood screen in St. Etienne next door.
ReplyDeleteAnd who wants freshly baked pan du chocolate with their cafe'au lait?!? ME-ME-ME-ME-I-DO-I-DO-I-DO-I-DO! PRETTY PUUUULLEASE?!? Nice shot Eric...you sure get around! LOL! (= (I behaved myself, aren't you impressed?)
ReplyDeleteAgree Passante....could be one of those 1930's big show numbers!
ReplyDeleteThis IS a rather comical statue, I say. Is there anything else to the right that make up the set? (Ohhh, my first comment on THE Paris DP.)
ReplyDeleteThe "stage lighting" really makes them seem to move.
ReplyDelete-Kim
Tres tres beau.
ReplyDeleteBonjour de Sydney,
Nathalie
If it weren't for the clothes, they would look like a chorus line.
ReplyDeletePeggy
this is cool,
ReplyDelete