This impressionistic memorial to Parisian chanteuse Edith Piaf is easy to miss: it's located on the Square Edith Piaf in a remote corner of northeast Paris, just outside the Porte de Bagnolet Metro station. The bronze statue was commissioned to Lisbeth Delisle by Paris City Hall in 2003 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of "the little sparrow's" death. It also happens to be in close reach of the Tenon Hospital, where Piaf was either born or given emergency care after coming into the world under a lamp on a street in nearby Belleville, according to contradictory accounts, in 1915.
So far reception hasn't been all that warm: critics complain that the statue is lumpy and graceless and doesn't do justice in rendering Piaf, despite attempting to capture her impassioned performance style. What do you think of it? Please leave your comments below.
Related Articles and Resources:
- Guide to the 20th Arrondissement (Edith Piaf's birthplace and site of the memorial)
- Pere Lachaise Cemetery (site of Piaf's grave)
- La Java Nightclub (Piaf gave some early performances here)
- Edith Piaf Museum
- Edith Piaf Profile (at About.com World Music)
- Review of Piaf biopic La Vie en Rose (at About.com World/Independent Film)
Image: ©2010 Courtney Traub.
I love Edith Piaf’s music and I saw a movie about her. I actually think the oddness of the statue kind of suits her.
J’adore Paris!
Mlle Piaf deserves a more dignified statue
I can’t see the full length of the work, but at a glance it doesn’t remind me of Piaf. It doesn’t capture her stature at all. The arms are extended too far upward, while Piaf’s were always more outward, as if she were embracing you. The statue looks more like a Moon worshipper, or a rain dancer, although I can’t see the rest of the statue.
However, I didn’t see Piaf in the face, either. I think it should have resembled a very ordinary, very French, young girl singing. Because it was the contrast between simple, down to earth charm, along with that incredibly powerful voice, which made her so appealing.
I agree with the others — it does’t do her justice at all. These matters are very delicate, and the commission for this should have been given more careful consideration, especially when portraying the very attractive character of Edith Piaf to the public.
I did not know Edith had a statue to honor her. I should have visited it when I was in Paris. The statue does not look like edith. A statue to honor a person should at least resemble her. It should be redone for art’s sake and for edith’s stasture.
Didn’t realize there is a statue of Edith Piaf – I think it’s perfect. Who would want a totally life like tribute to her? Realistic like the statues of wartime soldiers? What makes it mesmorizing is the “idea” of Piaf. It tells of her soul…