Fame of War, Bronze and gold sculpture on Pont Alexandre III, Paris, France
Fame of War is a bronze sculpture with gold details positioned at one end of Pont Alexandre III. The work depicts a winged female figure and forms part of the artistic decoration adorning this bridge that crosses the Seine between Paris districts.
Leopold Steiner created this sculpture between 1897 and 1900 as part of Pont Alexandre III, which opened for the 1900 Paris Exposition. The bridge and its decorative elements were designed to demonstrate France's engineering and artistic achievements.
The winged female figure follows a classical artistic style common in Parisian public monuments, where mythological representations were used to honor significant events. This approach reflects how the city expressed national pride through sculpture during the early 1900s.
You can easily view this sculpture while crossing Pont Alexandre III or from the Seine riverbanks on either side. The combination of bronze and gold makes it stand out clearly even when viewed from a distance.
The sculpture was originally covered in bright gold plating, but has developed a natural patina over more than a century. This darkening gives it a weathered appearance quite different from its gleaming appearance when first installed.
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