Bouquet of Tulips
| Company type | Artwork / Sculpture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Art / Public sculpture |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Jeff Koons |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Metal sculpture (polychromed bronze, aluminum, stainless steel) |
Bouquet of Tulips is a metal artwork created by the American sculptor Jeff Koons, situated outside the Petit Palais in Paris, France. This piece ranks among Koons's most sizable sculptures and marks his inaugural commemorative creation. Initially announced in 2016 and revealed in October 2019, the sculpture stands as a memorial to those affected by the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris.
Artwork
Rising to a height of 11 m, this sculpture depicts a hand grasping stylized flowers, drawing inspiration from the Statue of Liberty. Constructed using polychromed bronze, aluminum, and stainless steel, it pays homage to the victims of the November 2015 Paris attacks. The bouquet consists of 11 flowers, with the absent 12th flower symbolizing those lost.
In 2019, Koons declared that 80% of the revenue generated from licensing the copyright for commercial merchandise featuring the sculpture would be directed to the victims' families, while the remaining 20% would support upkeep and conservation.
History
The concept of the sculpture was introduced by Koons in November 2016 as a gift to Paris, following a request from Jane D. Hartley, then U.S. ambassador to France, who sought a tribute honoring victims of the 2015–2016 terrorist incidents. Hartley approached Koons after discussions with Jerry Speyer, chairman of MoMA's board and a collector of Koons's art.
Produced in Germany, the total expenses for fabrication and installation amounted to €3.5 million, funded through private contributions coordinated by Fonds Pour Paris and the Paris Foundation. Notable donors included Bernard Arnault, Leon and Debra Black, Kenneth C. Griffin, Leonard Lauder, and Ralph Schlosstein. Koons personally added $1 million to cover budget overruns.
Koons chose a plaza adjacent to the Palais de Tokyo for its emblematic significance and absence of heritage protection constraints. Although Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo initially announced this site in 2017, concerns about pavement stability and debates over its appropriateness led to reevaluation. In January 2018, a group of 23 French cultural figures condemned the project as "opportunistic and cynical," though others voiced support.
By May 2018, Culture Minister Françoise Nyssen abandoned plans for installation at Palais de Tokyo. Alternative locations such as Parc de la Villette were dismissed by municipal planners; other possibilities included Place des États-Unis. Ultimately, the sculpture was positioned between Place de la Concorde and the Petit Palais, in proximity to the Embassy of the United States, Paris.