Statues - Hither & Thither |
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Lyon
Rhône Rhône-Alpes Place des Terreaux (1e)
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Sculptures de la façade de l'Hôtel de VilleSculptures at the Façade of the City Hall |
Various sculptors
c. 1672 and 1829 |
The Hôtel de Ville was built between 1645 and 1651 by Simon Maupin. Following a fire in 1674, the building was restored and modified, including its facade, designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart and his pupil Robert de Cotte.
Most of the exterior decorations are made by the sculptor Simon Guillaume.
Henri IV
On the pediment in the center of the building, originally was a half-relief of Louis XIV on horseback, whcih was removed in 1793. In 1829, Jean-François Legendre-Héral made the present equestrian statue of Henry IV, surmounted by an escutcheon with the arms of the City and a clock with allegories of the Rhône and Saône.
 Coat of Arms of Lyon |
 Rhône and Saône |
 Hercules |
 Minerva |
The gallery on the top floor is decorated with two statues: Minerva and Hercules, symbol of the Good Government. The statues were replaced in 1854 by the sculptors Fabisch and Bonnet.
 Justice and Truth |
 Prudence and Force |
The pediments of the corner pavilions are dominated each by a pair of statues representing the four cardinal virtues: Justice and Truth, on the North Pavilion, Prudence and Force on the South Pavilion, which are a tribute to Louis XIV.
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