Living Statue in Montmartre
Performance art / Living statue • Anonymous street performer; frequently associated with the artistic community of Place du Tertre in Paris
Style & Movement
Contemporary Street Performance Art / Mime tradition
Medium & Technique
Mixed media including fabric costume, body paint, and a structural plinth; technique involves static posing and mime-style stillness
Creation Period
Contemporary (21st Century)
Dimensions & Format
Life-size (approx. 175-185 cm including pedestal); Vertical format
Subject Description
A figure dressed as a painter or 'poulbot' character, squatting atop a white pedestal. The performer is entirely covered in monochromatic white paint to simulate a stone or plaster sculpture, holding a pose of high-balance.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (Transitory); the costume shows typical wear from outdoor use such as dirt accumulation on the shoes and base.
Estimated Market Value
Intangible / Based on daily donations (busking)
Auction Estimate
N/A (Non-transferable ephemeral performance)
Provenance History
Public domain street art; likely located in the Montmartre district of Paris, based on the cafe 'Le Consulat' style background.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the ongoing evolution of the street performance tradition in Paris, merging the history of mime (Legacy of Marcel Marceau) with modern tourism and public interaction.
Notable Features
High-difficulty balance pose on a narrow circular base; clever use of monochromatic textures to mimic plaster casting; inclusion of a modern PA system at the base for sound effects or music.
Condition Issues
Temporary nature of the medium; surface scuffing on feet and base, minor staining on the white fabric costume due to environmental exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Periodic reapplication of body paint and laundering/whitening of the costume; physical protection from weather elements during inactive hours.