Jardin du Luxembourg: Medici Fountain


  • Caption
    View of Polyphemus discovering the lovers Acis and Galatea
Related people
Tommaso Francini (was created by)
Alphonse-Henry de Gisors (was created by)
Auguste Louis Marie Ottin (was created by)
Date
1858-1864 (alteration);ca. 1624-1630 (creation)
Location
Europe->France->Île-de-France, Région->Paris->Luxembourg, Jardin du (park)
Description
The grotto was most probably the work of Tommaso Francini, the Intendant General of Waters and Fountains of the King. Francini had built grottos and fountains in the Italian style for the royal château of Henry IV at Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The Arcueil Aqueduct (1613-1623) was built to supply water, in which Salomon de Brosse and Francini were involved. In 1864, Baron Haussmann planned to build the avenue de Medicis through the space occupied by the fountain. From 1858 to 1864, the new architect, Alphonse de Gisors, moved the fountain thirty meters to make room for the boulevard, and radically changed its setting and appearance, adding the Fontaine de Léda to the back. What sculpture was left, was replaced, notably with a group of statues by Auguste Ottin, representing the giant Polyphemus, in bronze, discovering the lovers Acis and Galatea, in white marble.
Style/Period
Baroque (AAT)
Material
stone
marble
bronze