Arc de Triomphe ; Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

Frontal view of the frieze, cornice and attic; Chalgrin's best-known work is the Arc de Triomphe, begun for Emperor Napoleon in 1806. Completed in 1836 by L. Goust (fl 1786–1836), Jean-Nicolas Huyot and Guillaume-Abel Blouet, who significantly altered the design of the attic, the Arc de Triomphe dominates the Place de l’Etoile in Paris and provides a focus for the length of the Champs-Elysées. The most noteworthy contribution to the sculptural programme is François Rude's ‘La Marseillaise’ (Departure of the Volunteers in 1792). Although it is often considered a sterile imitation of antique triumphal arches, Chalgrin's final design was the result of a progressive shift away from the pure replication of Classical prototypes. Through a systematic process of abstraction, Chalgrin reduced the traditional tripartite scheme of the triumphal arch to a single bay and eliminated all columnar decoration, creating with economical means an image of monumental achievement that captured the spirit of Napoleonic aspirations. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/13/2010)