Le Cavalier gaulois, Limestone sculpture at Pont d'Iéna, Paris, France
Le Cavalier gaulois is a limestone sculpture on Pont d'Iéna depicting a warrior mounted on horseback. The work stands on the bridge connecting Champ de Mars to Trocadéro and is part of a series of four equestrian monuments.
French artist Antoine-Augustin Préault completed this sculpture in 1853 during a period of renewed interest in France's ancient Gallic past. Its creation coincided with a growing appreciation for the early cultures that inhabited French territory.
This statue is one of four equestrian figures on Pont d'Iéna, each representing warriors from different civilizations: Gallic, Roman, Greek, and Arab. Together they form a tribute to the diverse cultures that shaped Europe.
The sculpture sits on a busy bridge making it easily accessible on foot from several nearby starting points. The best view of the work can be enjoyed from both sides of the bridge, especially when walking slowly across Pont d'Iéna.
The limestone material allowed this statue to retain its original appearance despite more than 160 years of exposure to weather and urban conditions. The stone's resilience explains why the artwork still looks so lifelike today.
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