Dama del paraigua, Marble fountain sculpture in Barcelona Zoo, Spain
Dama del paraigua is a marble statue depicting a woman in historical clothing holding an extended umbrella, mounted atop a decorative fountain featuring two stacked basins with a circular pool. The figure was created in Catalan modernist style and forms a complete artistic composition with the fountain structure.
Artist Joan Roig i Solé created this sculpture for the 1888 Universal Exhibition, where it originally stood in the Industry Palace in Parc de la Ciutadella. It was later relocated to Barcelona Zoo, where it has remained for decades.
The statue depicts an elegantly dressed woman with an umbrella, reflecting the daily life and fashion choices of Barcelona's wealthy residents in the late 1800s. Her pose captures how affluent women of that era moved through public spaces and presented themselves in the city.
Visitors need a ticket to Barcelona Zoo to see this statue. The sculpture and fountain can be viewed from several angles throughout the grounds, making it easy to find good vantage points without following a specific route.
Each year on May 4th, traditional umbrella makers place flower wreaths at the base of the statue. This custom connects the artistic figure with a craft that has long been important to Barcelona's heritage.
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