Saturday, May 5, 2012

Sphinx et la Fontaine du Palmier



This sphinx is one of four at the base of the monumental Fontaine du Palmier which was constructed between 1806 and 1808 to provide drinking water to the residents of Paris and to commemorate the victories of Napoleon.  The sphinxes were sculpted by Henri Alfred Jacquemart almost 100 years later to acknowledge Napoleon's victories over Egypt. The gilt statue of Victory sits atop the almost 60-foot column of the Fontaine du Palmier and greatly overshadows this sphinx.

The simple gray tones of the sphinx pale beneath the gold Victory, but what a wonderful view of Paris buildings, busy street life, and the Seine from his vantage point.  Most visitors look up and shoot - don't forget to notice a sphinx.


(Seen in the background, the dome of Tribunal de Commerce on Île de la Cité)


Fontaine du Palmier
Place du Châtelet
75001, Paris

19 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Awesome capture as always, Genie! I always look forward to your posts as I wind down my day! Have a wonderful weekend, mon amie!

Hugs
Sylvia

martinealison said...

Une très jolie photo... Elle a quelque chose de mystérieux...
Gros bisous et bon week-end.

Joe said...

This is a wonderful image Genie. Amazing way to dispense water to the public. Today we are lucky if we get a chrome tap that works.

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Genie:
The juxtaposition of images here are just magical. The solid and the ephemeral captured simultaneously in the most glorious of lights. A triumph, a victory!

Virginia said...

Beautiful fountain. I don't t hink I"ve seen it. I'll put it in my book!
V

Birdman said...

Gargle and spit!

M said...

Love the way you captured the water ... it just sparkles against the sky! And the background building truly evokes le grand époque!

This is Belgium said...

hum, I know this fontaine, of course, but you do make me see it completely differently, quite nice
jolie, Genie !
bon weekend
anni

Living In Williamsburg Virginia said...

Excellent shot perfectly posed with the dome.

Darryl and Ruth :)

Elisa N Viajes said...

Gorgeous!
Greetings from Argentina
Elisa

Cezar and Léia said...

Very artistic shot, well done!
God bless you!
Cezar

PerthDailyPhoto said...

So unusual to see in the middle of Paris Genie, although I really shouldn't say that, you never know what you might come across in Paris oui!

Starman said...

It took a couple of looks before I actually saw the water. Very nice photo.

Lynne with an e said...

This shot is almost surreal, and yet it captures a wonderful Parisian reality and slice of history. Paris and sphinxes--a glorious mix. I love this picture.

Rob Siemann said...

Well spotted. By the way, I just added a color shot of my pussycat the ocelot.

Mary said...

I love this photo. Wonderfully composed. I love the Sphinx. As if he's saying.. 'I will NOT be overlooked.' :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful image. Everyday I visit your blog I feel like I leave with a wonderful history lesson. Thanks so much, Genie!

Randy said...

Excellent shot Genie.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

I was not sure that I could describe the fountain's height in a way that you could appreciate this sphinx in perspective. So glad that you liked this sculpture and the shot.

I love fountains and the sphinxes make quite a statement at the base of this tower.

Bises,
Genie