Paul Landowski facts for kids
Paul Maximilien Landowski (born June 1, 1875 – died March 31, 1961) was a famous French sculptor. He was known for creating large monuments. His most famous work is the giant Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Early Life and Training
Paul Landowski was born in Paris, France. His father was a Polish refugee, and his mother was French. Paul loved art from a young age.
He studied at the Académie Julian, which was a famous art school. Later, he went to the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. This was a very important art school in France.
In 1900, Paul Landowski won the Prix de Rome. This was a special award given to young artists. Winning it meant he could study art in Rome, Italy, for several years. This helped him become a great sculptor.
Famous Sculptures and Monuments
Paul Landowski worked as a sculptor for 55 years. He created many impressive artworks. He made over 35 monuments just in Paris! He also made 12 more in the areas around the city.
One of his well-known works in Paris is the Art Deco statue of Saint Genevieve. This statue was placed on the Pont de la Tournelle bridge in 1928.
He also created a powerful sculpture called Les Fantomes (The Ghosts). This monument honors the French soldiers who fought in the Second Battle of the Marne. It stands on a hill in Northern France.
Landowski also made two large war memorials in North Africa. One was in Algiers and the other in Casablanca. The Casablanca monument was later moved to Senlis, France.
The Christ the Redeemer Statue
Paul Landowski is most famous for the Christ the Redeemer statue. This huge statue stands tall in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was finished in 1931.
He worked with a civil engineer named Heitor da Silva Costa. He also worked with an architect and sculptor named Gheorghe Leonida. Some people say Landowski designed the head and hands of the statue. However, it was Leonida who actually sculpted the head.
Awards and Leadership Roles
Paul Landowski was very talented. He even won a gold medal at the art competitions at the 1928 Summer Olympics for his sculpture. Art competitions were part of the Olympics from 1912 to 1952.
From 1933 to 1937, he was the Director of the French Academy in Rome. This was the same place where he had studied after winning the Prix de Rome.
He also helped choose winners for the Prix Blumenthal. This award gave money to young French artists, writers, and musicians.
Family and Legacy
Paul Landowski had several children who also became artists.
- His daughter Nadine Landowski (1908–1943) was a painter.
- His son Marcel Landowski (1915–1999) became a famous composer.
- His daughter Françoise Landowski-Caillet (1917–2007) was a pianist and painter.
Paul Landowski passed away in 1961 in Boulogne-Billancourt, a town near Paris. Today, there is a museum in Boulogne-Billancourt dedicated to his work. It has over 100 of his sculptures on display.
Gallery
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Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
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Figures of William Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox at the Reformation Wall, Geneva (made with sculptor Henri Bouchard)
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Monument à la victoire et à la paix in Senlis, France. It was originally in Casablanca.
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Les Fantomes, Oulchy-le-Château (Aisne, France), 1935
See also
In Spanish: Paul Landowski para niños
