In front of the Saint Germain church at the moment, there are several statues on display. I fell in love with one of them, called Le Pèlerin (the Pilgrim) made by Jivko, a sculptor born in Sofia (Bulgaria), who then studied in Prague before settling down in Paris in 1992 where he became a French citizen. I photographed this Pilgrim with the bust of Jean Mabillon in the background (permanently on display, unlike the Pilgrim), a famous monk who "invented" a "method" to authenticate and file church documents (don't ask me!! this took place in 1681...). If you want a global view of the statue only, click here.
Very moving statue and post. Maybe because you told you fell in love with it. I agree that is a beautiful one and the pilgrim theme is special. Who are our pilgrims nowadays? Are you one of them, Eric, with all the "merveilles" you bring to us with PDP ;)? I guess you are... You look like this pilgrim. I hope you will appreciate the comparison. If not, please forget it immediately... :)
ReplyDeleteI really love the combination of the darker rough statue in front and the lighter smooth statue behind. Each evokes a very different mood! Since I deal with the authenticating and filing of legal documents at court, I really want to know more about this method to authenticate and file church documents in the 1600s in France! C'mon Eric, where's the detailed research we’ve come to expect! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like all the textures I see in the photograph(Lois, you are making me look harder,thank you). I also enjoy learning about Mabillion; it will now be more than a Metro stop to me!!!Thx, Eric!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo Eric, love the angle. Hey Corinne, GF!
ReplyDeleteHe looks like Boris Karloff aka Frankenstein -- I love Boris, what a famulous actor!
ReplyDeleteOh yes indeed Lois, though i'm tempted to agree with everything you say, after what you said yesterday (happy blush) lol.
ReplyDeleteThe other important and topical Boris is the new Mayor of London, Boris Johnson who has within the last few minutes won the election. I am pleased. Although i no longer live in London, i am London born.
Boris won????I never thought they would get rid of Ken for Boris!!!!I guess your country is becoming more conservative. Sorry, everyone, but I am really surprised.
ReplyDeleteThey compliment each other well.
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting picture. I'm not sure that it would be my favorite, but I did like the full length shot of this sculpture.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Very moving. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYep and for me it's a good thing! Oops shouldn't talk politics...la la la la
ReplyDeleteVery, very cool.
ReplyDeletenice...
ReplyDeleteSooo, that's the explanation of Mabillon--Place, Metro, etc. Authenticating church documents. Well, that's something I've always wanted to be famous for...
ReplyDeleteMany interesting things on display in Place St. Germain. Les Deux Magots is a great place for seeing them. Watching them.
I like the photo, Eric - the smooth, powerful face in the background vs. the rough, tortured face in the foreground. (I don't think he looks like you, by the way, but I believe in Corinne's right to her opinion!)
ReplyDeleteKatie, here's a good place to start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Mabillon
Thanks for the link Petrea. You're right, I should do my own research instead of expecting Eric to do it all!
ReplyDeleteI can see why The Pilgrim moves you. It's an expressive piece; the face is haunting.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo, as always.
MZM
it is similar to the anonymus sculpture in Budapest...in a way:)
ReplyDeleteI can understand why you fell in love with this statue Eric. He is handsome in all his roughnes. He looks both wise and traumatic.
ReplyDeleteI really like both photos you've taken here Eric, but the full sized one gives me a perspective.
ReplyDeleteI'm like Jeff, he's got the whole thing figured out. Enjoy the sculptures from Les Deux Magots and have a nice hot chocolate at the same time!
Oops, sorry! I didn't mean to use the "C" word. That will have Monica out prowling in no time!
ReplyDeleteComparing the full-length and the close-up images of this sculpture, what strikes me is the contrast between a facial expression that seems fixed on some distant (possibly not yet visible horizon) and the surging stride of a body that clearly occupies a definite space in the real world. Together, they seem to suggest an harmonious fusion of worldly toil and metaphysical purpose - which is entirely appropriate, given the subject.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eric, for this impressive pilgrim, and also for Mabillon!
ReplyDeleteUntil now, for me, Mabillon was only a "Restaurant Universitaire"... not the best memories of my student years in Paris........loooong years ago ;-)
I see what you mean Thib! Until yesterday, Mabillon was just a meeting point to me ("on se retrouve à Mabillon à 19 heures ?!") LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm still not sure of what his expertise was though. In Wikipedia they mention "Le diplomatique", which apparently is the name the gave to this authentication "skills" .
If someone knows more, I'd be happy to learn.
Beautiful day in Paris today (Saturday). If I trust the Paris weather site, I can organize the picnic on the embankment. Cool!
Katie i don't think you were demanding Eric to do your research, it's just that we are all in awe of Eric and he usually gives us so much information and educates us all, that if it's not there, we feel bereft of his higher knowledge. he he. Sycophantic or what? I'm shameless. I know.
ReplyDeleteMichael - chocolate? Where's the chocolate? Where, where? What type? Monica, get behind me. Michael.... cooo-eee!... ?
Great for the picnic!!!
ReplyDeleteI do like sunny Paris, on days off... I MUST take vacations and stay in Paris to enjoy it (walks, exhibits, go and see the very numerous PDP hits, like this impressive pilgrim etc...)!! That would have been great today... but I am not in Paris. Even if the weather is delightful here too, on the west coast of France... I am looking forward to free time in Paris... Enjoy it !
I'm so glad I checked out the global view as well. I visit your site daily and have recommended you to many. I'm not even certain how I found you ... Fabulous photo, fabulous you.
ReplyDeleteEric, I think I prefer the bust of Jean Mabillon. I find the Pilgrim a tiny bit scary.
ReplyDeleteMichael: did you say chocolate? Miam.
Yes Michael the C word... it always makes me jump out of my seat, like a dog sniffing something in the air... now I have the image of one sitting on Les Deus MAgots having a nice hot chocolate and admiring the statues... sigh...
ReplyDeleteEverytime Eric post something about the 6th it makes me miss Paris even more!
These two statues together pose a wonderful contrast. I encourage anyone who hasn't, to check out the global view Eric posted. The full view is really sweet.
ReplyDeleteAgain, merci bien Eric!
TWO PDP commenters fans of that ghastly travesty Les Deux Magots? You people must be made of money.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading what Wikipedia had to say about Mabillon, I checked out the Britannica regarding "Jean Mabillon" and this is what they said in a nut shell: French monastic scholar, antiquarian, and historian who pioneered the study of ancient handwriting (paleography). The Catholic Encyclopedia gives a full account of his life which appears to have been turbulent and fraught with scandal (for example, his treatise that defends the propriety of study and research as an occupation for monks) -- it's difficult to be a pioneer or pilgrim. huh huh
ReplyDeleteUpon first viewing last night I didn't leave a comment. Couldn't get it out of my mind, though, and had to see it again today. I absolutely gained appreciation of this statue from seeing the global view. The face close-up is so haunting but in context with the whole piece that aspect diminishes and a sense of purpose gives meaning to the facial expression. It's quite wonderful.
ReplyDeleteNo Expat, but one must dream from time to time...
ReplyDeleteCertainly not made of money, M. Expat. When sitting at Les Deux Magots, one cannot think of it as paying too much for a glass of wine. You are renting for a brief time a little piece of prime Paris real estate. And the scenery is wonderful.
ReplyDelete"When sitting at Les Deux Magots,...You are renting for a brief time a little piece of prime Paris real estate..."
ReplyDeleteWell said Jeff!