Riding through Time: A Tale of the Four Chained Slaves on King Henry IV's Statue

Standing tall in the heart of Paris, the Equestrian Statue of King Henry IV is a renowned landmark. Adorning its pedestal are four peculiar bronze figures: chained slaves precariously holding onto harpies. Despite their bizarre appearance, these slaves carry a rich history and played a noteworthy role in the statue's creation and history. The statue was initially commissioned by Queen Marie de Médicis for her husband, King Henry IV, and designed by Giambologna. Sadly, Giambologna passed away before he could complete the work, with Pietro Tacca taking over the commission. History seemed to have a different plan for this iconic statue as it was torn down during the French Revolution. However, its legacy was preserved, and it was eventually restored to its original grandeur in 1818 by François-Frédéric Lemot. Join us as we unravel the story behind these enigmatic figures.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons