Ten iconic 20th century sculptures

1. The "Guitar" • Pablo Picasso, 1912

In 1912, a few years after co-inventing Cubism with Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso extended his Cubist theories from the canvas to the "third dimension." He adapted the rules of Cubism for sculpture and crafted a cardboard guitar, one of his recurring themes of the time. A significant creation at the beginning of a century filled with artistic discoveries!

2. "The Man in Movement" • Umberto Boccioni, 1913

This sculpture by Italian artist Umberto Boccioni, a part of the Futurist avant-garde, depicts a walking man and aims to illustrate movement and speed in three dimensions. It is also known as "Unique Forms of Continuity in Space." The human form blends with machine-like forms, another characteristic of Futurist exploration. While this sculpture may be somewhat lesser-known, it is a highly original work for its time, effectively capturing the artistic transformations of the early 20th century across Europe.

3. "The Little Mermaid" • Edvard Eriksen, 1913

Created by Edvard Eriksen, it is a tribute to the titular fairy tale by Danish author Andersen. The artwork is placed on a rock in the harbor of Copenhagen, the Danish capital, and is one of its major attractions. Being displayed outdoors, it has been vandalized or tampered with numerous times: in 1964, its head was stolen. Never recovered, a new face had to be cast for the Little Mermaid... Fate played its part again when her head was stolen once more in 1998, but thankfully returned!

4. "White Bear" • François Pompon, 1923 - 1933

In reaction to the highly expressive works of his contemporary Rodin, sculptor François Pompon shifted his focus from the human figure to the animal world. In 1922, he presented his "Polar Bear" at the Salon d'Automne, an event that would bring him recognition from both his peers and the public. His simplified creations, stripped of all superfluous details, and featuring gentle forms, still remained highly realistic.

5. "Walking man" • Alberto Giacometti, 1960

Giacometti worked swiftly on human forms and reached the culmination of his explorations in 1960 with "Walking Man." The stretched and skeletal forms of the figure are characteristic of Giacometti's sculptures. In 2010, one of the ten copies of this artwork was sold for 126.83 million euros, making it the most expensive sculpture ever sold at auction... A sculpture that has become iconic!

6. The "Mobiles" • Alexander Calder, 1962

American artist Alexander Calder, also renowned for his monumental works installed in public spaces, became famous for his suspended mobiles. Notable for their lightness, primary colors, and complete abstraction, these playful artworks are seen as symbols of modernity in contrast to classical sculpture.

7. The "Compressions" • César, 1962

In 1960, César, whose real name was César Baldaccini, discovered the technique of "directed compression": using a hydraulic press, he compressed various objects, from car carcasses to jewelry... Challenging the consumer society of the time, he compressed a large number of cars (brand new ones!). In 1975, César conceived the famous compressed trophy presented to actors during the César Awards ceremony for cinema.

8. The "Nanas" • Niki de Saint-Phalle, from 1960

Artist Niki de Saint-Phalle began her "Nanas" series in the late 1960s. The voluptuous forms of her joyful women were inspired by a pregnant friend of hers. She went on to create a large number of Nanas, varying in size and color. The focus is always on feminine attributes and vibrant colors. These sculptures embody an unabashed femininity and are rooted in the feminist movement of the time.

9. "Maman" • Louise Bourgeois, 1999

This monumental sculpture, standing at 10 meters tall and depicting an immense spider, is simply titled "Maman." It was conceived by Louise Bourgeois, as the name suggests, as a tribute to her mother. This artwork has been transported and exhibited all around the world, from Washington to Paris to China. The unsettling appearance of the spider is only a surface impression: Louise Bourgeois offers a reference to her mother, a seamstress, who spun thread much like a spider spins its silk... A powerful work that has left a lasting impression!

10. "Balloon Dog" • Jeff Koons, 1994-2000

Jeff Koons is an artist who has garnered a lot of attention. In 2008, his "Balloon Dog (Magenta)" gained significant notoriety by being exhibited in the Salon d'Hercule at the heart of the Palace of Versailles. It was a dream opportunity to make a lasting impression on the general public! The artwork depicts a simple latex balloon, inflated and shaped into the form of a dog - a reminiscent nod to childhood fairs and events, and perhaps also a direct reference to his son. Thus, a fragile and ephemeral object is transformed into a monumental and enduring work, made of chromed stainless steel. A fine example of the contemporary art landscape!