La Pensée 1877 - 1891

"La Pensée" (Thought) is a marble bas-relief sculpture by French artist Henri-Michel-Antoine Chapu, created between 1877 and 1891. The work depicts a seated woman in a contemplative pose, her head tilted slightly upwards and her gaze directed towards the sky. Her right hand is raised, holding a piece of drapery that flows around her body, symbolizing the intangible nature of thought. The sculpture is a testament to Chapu's skill in capturing both the physical form and the inner life of his subject, making it a celebrated work of Neoclassical art.