Monday, September 19, 2011

Bonjour, monsieur


This is only a portion of the entryway to Propriété de la Société des Cuisiniers de Paris found on Rue Saint-Roch, just around the corner from Avenue de l'Opéra.  The architect's name is etched into the façade, along with the date:  Bruno Pellissier, arch't. 1917.

Remember to "look up"


Propriété de la Société des Cuisiniers de Paris
45, rue Saint Roch
75001 Paris

37 comments:

French Girl in Seattle said...

Bonsoir Madame. Isn't it wonderful how so many Parisian buildings were "signed" by their architects? Since I am not an architecture major, it always helps when the construction date is listed. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

Vreni said...

I love atlantes! In Paris two eyes are not enough to see all the beautiful things of the city.

this is Belgium said...

you are so right to draw our attention to what is 'up' there...

Anonymous said...

Quelle idée de montrer ses biceps ainsi! Comme moi à la plage!...
A moins que la corniche, située au dessus de lui, lui fasse mal à la tête...
Bon début de semaine, Genie!

dive said...

"I've drunk so much wine I can't feel my legs."

Shell Sherree said...

He looks as though he's about to attempt rubbing his stomach and patting his head at the same time. {And if Dive is right, he'll need some luck achieving that in his legless state.}

Malyss said...

I like those statues! they always seem very "true", so they seem to be suffring from carrying heavy things. Look at this glance!

Cezar and Léia said...

Very interesting façade with the statues!Great capture!
Léia

biebkriebels said...

He is looking you right in the eyes,wanting to tell you something, good you looked up to him!

Anonymous said...

"Christ, where am I? And who are you? And what did I drink?

Rob-bear said...

He seems quintessentially Parisian. But the poor legless chap won't be going anywhere, soon.
Fun photo, Genie.

Julie said...

I find that quaint: etching the name of the architect in an obvious spot on the facade of many many buildings in Paris.

I like the effect of this chap scratching his head. Probably in confusion as to what happened to the lower portion of his body.

Unknown said...

I love it - I could not take my eyes of him my first visit to Paris. It captures your attention and makes your mind wonder away in a beautiful land of myths. :-)

M said...

I felt he was reaching out to welcome you into his building ... Perspective makes all the difference. Very nice in B & W making all the detail stand out.

Anonymous said...

What an incredible face. I love trying to figure out what the expression is trying to convey.

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

One of the many things I love about Paris!! It is amazing that design and beauty is just every where. I even painted a man hole cover that I spotted in Paris! I also have an entire series of photos from the Villeroy and Boch store right on the border of Germany and France. There were tons of these kind of details on that building, just Fabulous!!!

Paris Paul said...

I love how he looks confused, a little lost and holding up his sash. I'm going to have to make a concentrated effort to hunt this guy down!

Anonymous said...

Whoa! I wonder what he is thinking and more importantly what the architect's thoughts were when he designed this.

Kris

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Oh he does look a little bemused Genie, so happy that you look up and find all these treasures for us to see.

Rob said...

Paris is a city of art, everywhere you look is an artsy treasure.

Starman said...

Well.....it's....different.

millefeuilles said...

I am so happy to have found your joyful place of musings. Seeing your header picture was enought to transport me back to a very intense and happy chapter of my life; I lived in Paris between 2000 and 2004 and then moved to live by the sea in Normandy and now Tours. I am very happy where I am but my heart will always be in Paris. We lived near the old site of the BnF and my daughter was at school in the 5ième so I would have the intense joy of walking past Notre Dame every morning, often at sunrise.

Sorry, I wasn't expecting to tell you part of my life story but, I guess, that is the power of your blog.

See you soon,

Stephanie

Fábio Martins said...

Well captured! Nice shot

Sylvia K said...

Another marvelous capture and a great reminder to always look up!! And that is something we all need to be reminded of these days!! Hope your week is off to a great start, mon amie!

Hugs
Sylvia

Jack said...

I like the humanity in this sculpture, Genie. It doesn't look like an invincible god or the leader of a great army. It looks like a mortal scratching his head to understand life, just like the rest of us.

Unknown said...

He looks a bit worried, doesn't he? :-) Wonderful detail!

Loree said...

how whimsical. I like him :)

Amanda Summer said...

looks like the poor fellow is lost - or lost something - his lower torso perhaps?

Grammy Goodwill said...

He looks so real. Well, except for missing his bottom half. I love his expression.

Alexa said...

Excellent advice, Genie! And of course we benefit when you follow it yourself. This poor guy looks like he has a headache from holding up the architrave (or whatever part of the building that is) for lo these 94 years!

Virginia said...

I loved that guy!
V

Harriet said...

Such great detail. I think the sculptor who actually created this must have pleased the architect very much.

I never tire of seeing all the wonderful details of the architecture in Paris.

Harriet said...

J'adore les commentaires de Richard. Dans mon imagination, je peux voir Richard à la plage comme ça!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Richard showing his muscles at the beach and Dive into the wine... Paris Paul and JB getting into the act... Who knew that the architecture could elicit such interest!

I could not find any additional information on the architect, but the gentlemen shown here is one of a pair, not matching, who are supporting the doorway. This elder figure is on the left and a younger male on the right who uses both his hands for support (but has not lost his toga).

Enjoy your week. I am working diligently and am a bit slow on the visits.

Bises,
Genie

Joe said...

The sculptures of cities like Paris never cease to amaze me. They originate from a time and place where art was truly magnificent.

Living In Williamsburg Virginia said...

Fantastic artwork. Nicely captured.

Darryl and Ruth :)

Randy said...

Amazing detail.