La Nuit, sculpture by Aristide Maillol
La Nuit is a bronze sculpture in Paris's 1st arrondissement measuring roughly 1.1 m (3.6 ft) in height, 1.05 m (3.4 ft) in width, and 0.6 m (2 ft) in depth. The piece depicts a seated figure with simplified forms and relaxed proportions, showing the smooth surfaces and balanced composition typical of Aristide Maillol's approach to sculpture.
The sculpture was created by Aristide Maillol in 1902 and produced in multiple versions through approximately 1908. The bronze was cast by foundry master Georges Rudier in 1964 and installed in the Jardin du Carrousel in 1965, where it has remained as part of the public art collection.
La Nuit carries a name that evokes stillness and rest, reflecting the artist's focus on human form reduced to its simplest essence. Visitors passing through often pause to contemplate the figure, which invites reflection rather than demands attention.
The sculpture is accessible year-round at any time within the Jardin du Carrousel, located in central Paris between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. Its modest scale allows viewing from multiple angles while walking through the park and nearby paths.
The sculpture was originally one of several works donated to the Jardin du Carrousel in the 1960s when the artist's son and Dina Vierny chose to share Maillol's creations with the public. During a garden redesign in the 1990s, it was repositioned and has remained in its current location ever since.
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