Statues - Hither & Thither

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Genève
Genève (Canton)

Île J.J. Rousseau

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Genève 1712 - Genève 1778
Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer of 18th-century
(Wikipedia)

James Pradier
Charles Crozatier
1835

Description

Statue of Rousseau, seating on a chair, writing a letter. The text in the book in his hand is: "emile si la vie et la mort de Socrate sont d'un sage, la vie et la mort de Jesus sont d'un Dieu." (If the life and death of Socrates are those of a wise man, the life and death of Jesus are those of a God), a quote from Rousseau's Émile ou De l'éducation (1762).

Inscription(s)

iean iacqves
ROVSSEAV

citoyen de geneve
mdccxii - mdcclxxviii

monvment
inavgvre
en mdcccxxxviii

mmxi

Signed: j. pradier fecit 1834.
fondu Par crozatier 1834

Annotation

The statue was cast in Paris in 1834 and transported to Genève in December of that year and arrived in January 1835 in Genève, where is was inaugurated on 24 February 1835 on the Île des Barques (now known as Île J.J. Rousseau). On the pedestal, however, the inauguration date is given as 1838.

Sculptor

Jean-Jacques (James) Pradier (Genève 1790 - Rueil 1852), Swiss-French sculptor (SIKART Lexikon – Forum).

Sources & Information

Journal de Genève, 23 December 1834, 20 January 1835 and 24 February 1835 (through Archives Historiques Le Temps).

Locatie (N 46°12'21" - E 6°8'52") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: chge036; Photograph: 5 June 2013
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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