The Thumb

The bronze thumb sculpture stands 12 meters tall and weighs 18 tons, displaying intricate surface details through polished, waxed, and varnished finishes.

Created by César Baldaccini in 1965 as a 40-centimeter model, the monumental version was installed at La Défense in 1994 next to the CNIT building.

The sculpture represents the artist's own thumb enlarged to colossal proportions, reflecting modern art's tendency to transform common subjects into extraordinary statements.

Visitors can locate this monument near the CNIT building at La Défense, where it underwent restoration work in 2015 to maintain its original appearance.

Multiple versions of this thumb sculpture exist worldwide, including installations in Seoul, Washington, and Koblenz, but La Défense hosts the largest variant.

Location: Puteaux

Inception: 1965

Creator: César Baldaccini

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Website: http://ladefense.fr/fr/oeuvres-d-art/le-pouce

Website: http://ladefense.fr/fr/oeuvres-d-art/le-pouce

GPS coordinates: 48.89360,2.23861

Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:40