The Thumb, Bronze sculpture in La Défense district, France
The Thumb is a bronze sculpture by César located at La Défense that displays his hand enlarged to monumental scale. The work features a polished surface with waxed and varnished finishes that highlight its sculptural details.
The work originated as a small model in 1965 before the monumental version was installed at La Défense in 1994. This progression from concept to public monument reflects the artist's intent to elevate everyday objects.
The sculpture shows how modern art transforms ordinary objects into monumental statements by examining them from a new angle. This approach became a signature of the artist's work throughout his career.
The sculpture stands near the CNIT building and can be easily spotted from the esplanade. Restoration work completed in 2015 refreshed the bronze surface, making it accessible for close viewing throughout the year.
Other casts of the thumb stand in Jeddah, a 6-metre marble version installed in 1981, and in Seoul, a 6-metre bronze made for the 1988 Olympic Games. The La Défense cast, 12 metres tall and 18 tonnes, is the heaviest of the series. The original 1965 model was a 40 cm enlargement in pink translucent plastic.
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