Spring, Stone statue in Tuileries Garden, France

Spring is a marble figure by François Barois, carved in 1696 and set on a stone base beside the western basin of the Tuileries Garden. The woman stands with her weight on one leg, her body turning slightly, and her drapery gathered at the waist and falling in deep folds. The surface shows the weathering of a garden piece, with softened edges on the arms and face.

François Barois carved Spring in 1696 for the gardens of the Château de Versailles. In 1722 the statue was transferred to the Tuileries Garden as part of the royal collections. The marble now on view is a 1993 copy; the original is kept at the Louvre.

The sculpture depicts a female figure representing classical beauty and the bond between humanity and nature. Visitors can observe the refined stonework typical of French garden decoration from the 17th century.

The sculpture stands in the open garden and is visible from all sides, easily reached from the walking paths. The best time to photograph it is in the afternoon when light comes from the west.

The statue displayed in the garden today is an exact 1993 replica, while the original rests in the Louvre. This preservation approach protects the artwork from weathering and wear.