Bust of José Gervasio Artigas

The bust of José Gervasio Artigas stands in Place de l'Uruguay, depicting a man dressed in historical military uniform with finely carved facial features. The bronze monument sits on a pedestal and anchors the character of this square in the 16th arrondissement.

Artist José Luis Zorrilla de San Martín created this bust in 1962 to honor a man who led Uruguay's independence struggle against Spanish colonial rule. Placing this sculpture in Paris marked the recognition of his legacy on the international stage.

The plaza's name honors the link between France and Uruguay, reflected in this public tribute to a national figure. Locals and visitors pause here to acknowledge the shared history that connects these two distant nations through art and memory.

The bust sits in a public plaza in the 16th arrondissement and is accessible from multiple directions. You can visit at any time of day as it stands freely in the open air, making it part of a casual walking route through the neighborhood.

This monument is one of the few landmarks in Paris streets that immortalizes a 19th-century South American leader. Its presence shows how France preserves historical ties to distant countries through enduring sculptures.