Monument to the Glory of Émile Levassor
| Company type | Monument/statue |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public art, memorial |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Founder | Jules Dalou, Camille Lefèvre |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | 16th arrondissement of Paris |
| Products | Statue/monument |
The Monument to the Glory of Émile Levassor (French: Monument à la gloire d'Émile Levassor), also referred to as The Triumph of Levassor (French: Le Triomphe de Levassor), is a statue situated in Paris, specifically within Alexandre and René Parodi Square in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. This monument pays tribute to Émile Levassor, an innovative engineer and early figure in the automobile industry and motor racing in France. It commemorates his victory in the 1895 Paris–Bordeaux–Paris Trail, recognized as one of the pioneering automotive competitions. Created by artists Jules Dalou and Camille Lefèvre, it was first revealed on 26 November 1907 at the entrance of the Bois de Boulogne park before being transferred in 1972 to its present location due to urban expansion.
History
The Automobile Club of France commissioned this monument in 1898, a year following Levassor’s passing, to honor his impact on automotive innovation and racing achievements. The initial sculpting was undertaken by Jules Dalou, who passed away in 1902; his pupil, Camille Lefèvre, finished the work according to Dalou’s original plans. The statue was officially unveiled on 26 November 1907 at Bois de Boulogne. In 1972, it was relocated to Alexandre and René Parodi Square, near Admiral Bruix Boulevard in the 16th arrondissement, as a result of the development of the Boulevard Périphérique.
Characteristics
Positioned within Alexandre and René Parodi Square close to Admiral Bruix Boulevard in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, the monument consists of a substantial stone block fashioned into a stylized triumphal arch supported by two front columns. Centrally displayed is a relief entitled The Triumph of Levassor (Le Triomphe de Levassor), illustrating Émile Levassor at the wheel of a 1895 Panhard et Levassor vehicle bearing racing number 5, decorated with laurel wreaths. Behind him is an enthusiastic crowd with men raising their hats, set beneath tree foliage. Crowning the arch above the relief is a sculpted winged automobile wheel.