The City of Strasbourg

During the reign of Louis-Philippe the Place de la Concorde, which was still disfigured by the presence of the guillotine, was reconstructed. Two fountains framed the obelisk presented by the Viceroy of Egypt, while statues of Towns, including Lille and Strasbourg by Pradier were placed on the pavilions built in the eighteenth century. They were appreciated immediately for their plasticity, elegance, the non-conformist coiffures and the drapery. Hand on hip head proudly erect, Strasbourg seems to proclaim the spirit of revenge which was to animate France after the loss of Alsace-Lorrain to the point of becoming its symbol after 1871.