Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Thomas Paine


Today I passed by the Parc de Montsouris in the 14th arrondissement and I saw a golden statue that I had never noticed before. I found out it's the one of Thomas Paine a famous player during the French/American revolution times (even though originally English) - you can read his story here.I have not been able to decipher the name of the sculptor who made the statue (have a look in the making of, maybe you'll be able to find out. You will also see a wider angle of the statue in the park). Also, if you enjoyed the photo of the lion a few days ago, check this, I took this scene this morning...

21 comments:

  1. FANTASTIC ANGLE! I love it. Looks like the perfect day to walk by the Parc de Montsouris.

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  2. The answer is?

    Statue of Thomas Paine by Gutzon Borglum...

    So smart Eric, your wanting people to respond to your posts. It makes your site more intereting, although it already is.... interesting. Lol

    Merci

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  3. What's in his hand? It's only common sense that it must be "Common Sense".

    Another reminder of the historic, 'revolutionary' ties between the two nations.

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  4. Wonderful shot, Eric! The light, the angle. Know what else Gutzon Borglum (who could forget such a name?) is famous for? This.

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  5. wow this is so beautiful Eric! I agree with Alexa, the light is wonderful.
    & Alexa, how did you know that? you are so smart, thanks for sharing that interesting info!

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  6. It is interesting to read this man's history and what a lionheart he was to live as a philospher/activist through both revolutions and survive! I really like his portrait which shows him to be very attractive even though I would think he was middle-aged at the time it was painted. Thank you Eric :0)- Margaret (Australia)

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  7. Yes, the colours and glow are beautiful ~ a lovely angle, Eric!

    Alexa, you are a smart cookie. I imagine creating this statue was like a walk in the parc for Gutzon Borglum, compared to Mount Rushmore.

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  8. Eric, this statue was made by Gutzon Borglum:

    (John) Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum (March 25, 1867 – March 6, 1941) was an American artist and sculptor famous for creating the monumental presidents' heads at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, the famous carving on Stone Mountain near Atlanta, as well as other public works of art.

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  9. Wow I love this golden statue. How unusual. Gorgeous angle too!

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  10. That statue has an important position, funny authority right hand !!

    regards

    valery

    Barcelona Daily Photo


    Trujillo Daily Photo

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  11. "My country is the world,
    My religion is to do good."

    Thomas Paine was born and educated in the small town of Thetford , Norfolk , England about 30 miles from where I live.

    As its most famous citizen, there are all kind of reminders of him, a Thomas Paine Hotel, a statue of him erected (amid some controversy apparently) in the 1960s and I think I remember a fish and chip takeaway named after him!
    Throughout this year a festival of events is being held to celebrate his life on the 200th anniversary of his death.

    There is also a Thomas Paine Society based in London.

    So, despite helping to engineer the American revolution, his works and ideas are held in high regard by many in this country.

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  12. Here's Borglum's entry in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutzon_Borglum

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  13. Lovely colors and a slightly feeling of vertigo that adds a lot to this golden picture. The light is perfect. His clothes make me think of those that torreadors (in French or Spanish corridas) use to wear. Which has certainly no connexion with Thomas Paine!!!
    Thanks Eric for the lion update and your informative posts.
    Aahh, each day I say to myself, I could not be as smart as I am without you, could I ? ;-)
    Thanks all for your precious comments.

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  14. Good job on the Borglum research, everyone. Mount Rushmore. Who knew? Well, clearly many people.

    Remember when you were a child and you were dragged through those "boring" museums? Now look at you...doing art history research and appreciating lighting and composition.

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  15. I agree with you, Jeff! I'm impressed by all the knowledge shared in these comments ;-)

    And yes, appreciation of art varies in time and years...

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  16. lol Jeff I remember it well. That was really interesting, Drummond. I know Thetford area too ;)

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  17. Alexa...you and others beat me to the punch. Nicely done. Having spent a number of years living and studying in South Dakota, I must say Borglum is quite revered...exception perhaps would be the Native Americans, of course...and who could really blame them.

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  18. I must say I'm impressed! Many of you found the answer (including an anonymous visitor only half an hour after I posted the photo).

    Not to mention that I learned who made Mont Rushmore ;-)

    Congratulations!

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  19. Merci Eric!

    Lol...

    Just a honorable mention.

    North By Northwest is a great film that features Mt Rushmore as the backdrop for one of the most intense endings to any movie.

    Alfred Hitchcock was a genius when it came to pure Cinema.

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