Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Philatelic Photograph: Arc of Triomphe du Carrousel - Paris, France


Interesting Places I've Photographed
Arc of Triomphe du Carrousel
Paris, France
Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N48° 51.703; E002° 19.981

Quick Description: 

The Arc of Triomphe du Carrousel is located in the Jardin du Carrousel between the Tuileries Garden and the Louvre in Paris, France.

Long Description:

This beautiful arch of triumph was commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate the victory of his army at Austerlitz. It occupies a prominent place between the Tuileries Garden and the Pyramid entrance to the Louvre.

The monument is 63 feet, 75 feet wide, and 24 feet deep. The central arch is 21 feet high. Two smaller arches on either side are 14 feet high, and 9 feet wide. Eight marble Corinthian columns are each topped by a statue of a soldier.

On bas-relief sculptures, on the the pediment between the soldiers, depict:

The Arms of the Kingdom of Italy with figures representing History and the Arts. The Arms of the French Empire with Victory, Fame, History, and Abundance. Wisdom and Strength holding the arms of the Kingdom of Italy, accompanied by Prudence and Victory.

Napoleon's diplomatic and military victories are commemorated by bas-reliefs executed in rose marble. They depict:

The Peace of Pressburg, Napoleon entering Munich, Napoleon entering Vienna, by sculptor Louis-Pierre Deseine, the Battle of Austerlitz, by sculptor Jean-Joseph Espercieux, the Tilsit Conference, the surrender of Ulm, by sculptor Pierre Cartellier.



A sign, in French, near the arch tells its history:

En 1807 - 1809, Napoléon 1er fit édifier un arc de
triomphe formant le portail monumental de la
cour du Carrousel, devant le château des Tuileries,
sa résidence impériale. Copié sur le modèle de
l'arc de Septime Sévère à Rome. dessiné par les
architectes Percier et Fontaine, l'arc est un hommage
a la Grande Armée, victorieuse à Austerlitz.
la directeur du musée du Louvre, Dominique
Vivant Denon, donna les sujets des relief qui
illustrent la campagne millitare de 1805 et la
capitulation d'Ulm la même année. La peintre
Charles Meynier en décida les compositions,
transcrites en marbre par les
meilleus sculpteurs de l'époque. Au
sommet se dressait un quadrige tiré
par les chevaux de saint-Marc, prélevés
à Venise en 1798. Sous la Restauration,
ces bronzes antiques retournerent
en Italie, et le sculpture Bosio exécuta
l'image de la france conduisant
un nouveau quadrige. Il est encadre
par deux statues de plomb doré, dues
à François lemont (1808) La Paix et
La Victorie.


English translation:

In 1807-1809, Napoleon I commissioned building an arc of
triumph forming the monumental Portal from the
the carousel Court, before the Tulleries Castle,
his imperial residence. Copy on the model
the Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome. Designed by the
Architects Percier and Fontaine, the arc is a tribute
to the Grand Army, victorious at Austerlitz.
The Director of the Museum of the Louvre, Dominique
Living Denon, gave the subjects of the relief that
illustrate the military campaign of 1805 and the
capitulation of Ulm the same year. The painter
Charles Meynier in decided the compositions,
transcribed in marble by the
best sculptors of the time. At the
Summit stood a Quadriga pulled
the horses of Saint Mark, taken
from Venice in 1798. After restoration,
these ancient bronzes were returned to
Italy, and the sculptor Bosio executed a sculpture
the their image for France creating
a new Quadriga. It is framed
by two statues of gilded lead, by
François Lemont (1808) - Peace and Victory.


The stamp was issued by Cambodia in 1990 to commemorate the World Chess Championship between Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov held in Lyon, France. It series of 7 stamps shows famous French landmarks and various chess pieces.

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