Fontaine Gavarni, Public fountain and sculpture in 9th arrondissement of Paris, France
Gavarni Fountain is a public fountain and sculpture in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, France. It features a central column topped with a bust of Paul Gavarni, while the base displays four high-relief sculptures, each with bronze masks on either side of the pedestal that release water streams.
The fountain was inaugurated in 1904, replacing an earlier horse trough from 1824. The work was created by sculptor Denys Puech and architect Henri Guillaume, marking an artistic celebration of a Parisian tradition.
The four relief figures represent typical Parisian carnival characters: a Débardeur, a Lorette, a Rapin, and a Harlequin. These characters were part of the city's local celebration tradition and show how people honored their festive heritage.
The fountain sits at Place Saint-Georges and is easy to reach on foot, especially if you are already exploring the area near Galeries Lafayette. The best views come from different angles, since the bronze figures and masks are visible from various sides.
This is the only public monument in Paris that commemorates the historic Paris Carnival, which ended in 1950. The reliefs preserve the memory of a tradition that is not otherwise documented in stone elsewhere in the city.
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