Fontaine de l'Observatoire, Monumental fountain in 6th arrondissement, France.
The Fontaine de l'Observatoire is a monumental bronze fountain with a green patina. Four standing female figures representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America support an openwork bronze sphere banded with the signs of the zodiac. Below, eight rearing horses cast by Emmanuel Frémiet surround a tiered stone basin, with water spraying from jets around them.
The fountain was designed between 1867 and 1874 during a major transformation of Paris under Baron Haussmann. It was part of efforts to enhance the city with significant public artworks.
The four female figures personify Europe, Asia, Africa and America; Oceania is absent because it was not fully explored at the time, and for reasons of balance. Africa wears a broken chain at her ankle, but America's foot rests on it, a reference to the then-unfinished abolition of slavery. The group's twisted legs displeased contemporary critics.
The fountain is located in a park between Luxembourg Gardens and Paris Observatory, where you can visit it easily on foot. The surrounding grounds provide plenty of space to view it from different perspectives.
The eight rearing horses and the fish and turtles in the basin were made by Emmanuel Frémiet, nephew and pupil of François Rude. Frémiet also created the equestrian statue of Joan of Arc at Place des Pyramides. The horses face outward around the central platform, so they are best seen by walking a full circle rather than stopping at the front.
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