La Paix at The Louvre, Paris

myminifactory

This is a sculpture called La Paix (English: Truth) depicting an early manifestation of Marianne in the form of Athena. It measures 1.67m x 1.08m x 0.84m and was cast from bronze and golden bronze by Antoine-Denis Chaudet (Paris, 1763 - Paris, 1810) and Louis Jean-Baptiste Cheret (1760 - 1832), and presented to the public in 1806. Commissioned during the Peace of Amiens, it was one of the few periods of peace between 1793 and 1815. Under the treaty, Britain recognized the French Republic; just two years earlier, the British parliament had dropped England's historical claim to the now-defunct French Kingdom. A national personification is an anthropomorphic representation of a nation or its people. Early Western personifications often depicted national manifestations of great wisdom and were goddesses like Athena. Many took the Latin name of ancient Roman provinces; examples include Britannia, Germania, and Polonia. Other notable personifications of Liberty include Marianne, the Statue of Liberty, and various United States coinage. During the French Revolution of 1789, allegorical personifications of Liberty and Reason appeared. These figures eventually merged into one: a female figure either sitting or standing, accompanied by attributes such as the tricolor cockade and Phrygian cap. This woman typically symbolized Liberty, Reason, the Nation, the Homeland, and civic virtues of the Republic. Historian Maurice Agulhon suggests that French traditions and mentality led to using a woman to represent the Republic. A feminine allegory also served as a way to break with the old monarchy headed by kings and promote modern republican ideology. This object is part of the "Scan The World" initiative, introduced by MyMiniFactory. It aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items around you and want to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.