The quadrigas again reach for the skies
Emblematic sculptures of the Grand Palais, Récipon's quadrigas had not been spared by the passage of time. Damaged by corrosion, they were taken down in 2001 and restored before being returned to their rightful place at the corners of the main façade in 2004.
Unharnessed from their chariot, Récipon’s quadrigas are ready to travel to the workshops in Périgueux. © ÉMOC, cliché Patrick Tourneboeuf
The towering volumes to either side of the central colonnade on the main facade of the Grand Palais converge towards a key feature: Récipon's quadrigas. These two copper sculptures, inspired by the baroque period, were the work of Georges Récipon, who also produced sculptures for the Alexandre-III bridge. The two groups represent Harmony Triumphing over Discord on the Seine side, and Immortality outstripping Time on the Champs-Élysées side. Though their total weight is twelve tons, the horses appear to be defying the laws of gravity as they leap upwards into the Paris sky, a hundred feet above the ground.
Damaged over the course of time, the quadrigas were one of the priorities during the first phase of restoration work at the Grand Palais. They were dismantled piece by piece between July and September 2001. Initially stored in the Nave they were then transported to the Socra workshops in Périgueux in the Dordogne. Restored during 2003, the quadrigas were returned to their rightful place, and their fine green patina was rehabilitated by an accelerated oxidation process.
Damaged over the course of time, the quadrigas were one of the priorities during the first phase of restoration work at the Grand Palais. They were dismantled piece by piece between July and September 2001. Initially stored in the Nave they were then transported to the Socra workshops in Périgueux in the Dordogne. Restored during 2003, the quadrigas were returned to their rightful place, and their fine green patina was rehabilitated by an accelerated oxidation process.
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