Arc de Triomphe

Description

Situated in the center of the Place de l'Étoile, the Arc de Triomphe symbolizes the grandeur of France. This prestigious arch, commissioned by Napoleon but completed long after his death, celebrates the glory of French soldiers and affirms the legitimacy of the emperor, while marking his reign with architectural significance. The author traces the tumultuous history of the construction of the Arc de Triomphe while explaining the crucial role of this monument in its historical, political, artistic, and urban context. The particularly detailed illustrations allow for a discovery of the important sculptural decoration, including a first photographic survey taken at the level of the frieze that encircles the top of the monument.