L’Évasion: A Tale of Liberation in Nantes

On the streets of Nantes, a captivating story unfolds. L’Évasion (The Escape), a project by artist Cyril Pedrosa, reimagines the iconic Wallace fountains, weaving a narrative of liberation and social progress. 

The Wallace Fountains 

The Wallace fountains, born in the aftermath of the 1871 siege of Paris, were the brainchild of British philanthropist Richard Wallace. They served a dual purpose, both providing free drinking water to the poor and beautifying the urban landscape. Wallace was moved by the plight of Parisians struggling with damaged water systems and so commissioned the creation of these fountains to address both practical and aesthetic needs. 

Designed by Nantes-born sculptor Charles-Auguste Lebourg, the fountains quickly became iconic features of the Parisian streetscape. Their distinctive design features four caryatids (a sculpted female figure) supporting a domed roof. These female figures represented specific virtues: Kindness, Simplicity, Charity, and Sobriety. 

The fountains’ popularity led to their spread beyond Paris, with Nantes adopting them as part of its own urban fabric. For over a century and a half, these fountains have stood as silent witnesses to the changing tides of history, their caryatids stoically bearing the weight of their assigned virtues and the fountain’s dome. 

L’Évasion: A modern reimagining 

Pedrosa’s L’Évasion reimagines the silent sentinels of Nantes, giving voice to their long-held desires for freedom and self-determination. The project unfolds in four chapters, each set in a different location in Nantes city centre, creating a narrative trail which visitors can follow. 

In Pedrosa’s story, the caryatids have spent 150 years patiently planning their escape. “As noble and virtuous as this role may be, they had neither chosen nor desired it,” explains Pedrosa. “So, like so many other women across the world and throughout time, the four caryatids of the Wallace fountains have patiently organised their escape.” 

The story of L’Évasion is told through a series of installations at each fountain site. At the first location, visitors encounter the caryatids beginning to stir, their stone features showing the first signs of movement after centuries of stillness, watering saplings which will one day support the fountain’s dome. The second site depicts the figures mid-escape, their bodies twisting and straining against their architectural constraints. 

As the narrative progresses to the third fountain, the caryatids are shown liberated, climbing up from their pedestals and exploring their newfound freedom and new perspective on top of the dome. The final installation presents a powerful image of collective empowerment: the four figures, no longer bound by their assigned roles, climbing down and walking away from the fountain. 

Pedrosa’s work culminates in a striking visual: “By mutually cultivating their thoughts, they were able to free themselves from their burden and leave their role behind.” This vivid portrayal of collective empowerment and liberation resonates deeply with ongoing struggles for equality and self-determination across various social spheres. 

L’Évasion is now a permanent part of Nantes’ cultural landscape, inviting visitors to explore the city’s artistic and historical heritage through a unique narrative. To fully appreciate L’Évasion, visitors are encouraged to follow the trail in order, starting from the first installation and progressing through the story. From Place Royale to Cours Cambronne, on to Place du Commerce before ending up at the Jardin des Plantes.

L’Évasion does more than just tell a story, it challenges viewers to reconsider the role of public art and the messages it conveys. By giving agency to these long-static figures, Pedrosa invites us to question other aspects of our environment that we might take for granted. The project also highlights the power of reinterpretation in art. By using existing, historically significant structures as his canvas, Pedrosa demonstrates how new meanings can be layered onto familiar objects, creating a dialogue between past and present. 

L’Évasion serves as a reminder of the ongoing nature of social progress. Just as the caryatids’ journey to freedom is depicted as a gradual process, so too are real-world movements for equality and self-determination. 

As you stand before these transformed fountains, take a moment to reflect on the silent stories they’ve held for over a century and the voices they’ve now found. Consider the parallels between the caryatids’ fictional journey and real-world struggles for autonomy and equality. In doing so, you’ll not only be experiencing a unique piece of public art but also participating in a broader conversation about liberation and self-determination – themes that resonate far beyond the charming streets of Nantes. 

Lead photo credit : © Martin Argyroglo / Le Voyage à Nantes