South America, Cast iron statue at Musée d'Orsay, France
South America is a cast iron sculpture depicting a seated woman in elaborate dress with ornamental headwear, measuring approximately 2.1 meters tall and 1.62 meters wide. The work now stands on the esplanade of the Musée d'Orsay in the 7th arrondissement of Paris.
The sculpture was commissioned for the 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle and originally stood at the Palais du Trocadéro. It was moved to Nantes in 1935 and later transferred to the Musée d'Orsay.
This figure belongs to a series of six continental representations, each depicted as a seated woman in elaborate dress with ornamental headwear. The names of South American nations appear inscribed into the artwork.
The sculpture can be viewed on the esplanade of the Musée d'Orsay and is easily accessible from the outside. Visitors should note that the work stands in the open air and is affected by weather and light conditions.
The cast work bears the foundry mark 'L. Denonvilliers et Fils a Sermaize sur Saulx' on its left side, documenting its precise manufacturing origin. This workshop signature is rarely so clearly preserved and offers insight into production practices of the 19th century.
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