Vénus des Arts

Vénus des Arts is a bronze sculpture in Saint-Germain-des-Prés that combines a female form with disassembled musical instruments including cello, piano, and flute arranged in fragmentary strips. The work uses decomposition as an artistic method to visually interweave classical and contemporary elements.

The work was created in 1992 by French artist Arman as part of his artistic exploration of deconstructed forms and musical instruments. Its creation came during a period when Arman refined his characteristic method of deconstruction and applied it to public spaces.

The sculpture depicts a female form rooted in classical artistic tradition while fragmented musical instruments break through it with contemporary visual language. This combination creates a conversation between what art once was and what it became in modern times.

The sculpture stands permanently at the intersection of rue Jacques-Callot and rue de Seine in the 6th arrondissement and is accessible to visitors at any time while exploring the area. Its location in the busy Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood makes it easy to encounter the work while walking through the district.

Each segment of the sculpture offers a different perspective on the connection between human form and musical instruments. This fragmented arrangement allows viewers to discover the work from different angles and find varying interpretations of the artistic message.