Monument to Charles Gounod, Bronze sculpture in Parc Monceau, Paris, France
The Monument to Charles Gounod displays a bronze bust of the composer set within Parc Monceau in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. Decorative figures standing alongside the bust represent characters drawn from his operas, reflecting the musical world of the 19th century.
The sculpture was created in 1902 by the sculptor Antonin Mercié to honor the French composer who wrote numerous influential operas throughout the 19th century. Mercié thus established a monument celebrating one of the most important figures in French opera of that era.
The monument honors a French composer whose operas such as Faust and Romeo and Juliet were performed across Europe and remain known today. Visitors walking through the park can identify the figures that represent characters from his most famous works.
The monument sits within Parc Monceau, accessible through multiple park entrances with several Metro stations located nearby. Visitors can discover the work while walking through the park grounds and reaching it from various pathways.
One of the original decorative figures that stood beside the bust has disappeared over time, leaving only a foot behind. This missing element tells a quiet story about the passage of time and how it has affected the monument.
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