American Monument

In 1914, during the First World War, German troops were advancing through northern France towards Paris. In September of that year, in the area near Meaux, the French Sixth Army launched an offensive against the German First Army. In the ensuing battle (known as the First Battle of the Marne), the French and British combined forces caused the Germans to retreat, saving Paris from attack. In the United States, French sympathizers celebrated the victory. MacMonnies collaborated with fellow American sculptor Edmondo Quattrocchi on part of the monument. Described as his most ambitious project, the monument would also be one of MacMonnies's last major commissions. The monument took 14 years to…

The monument is a colossal structure that stands 26 m tall. Each side of the base measures 15 m. The stone statue depicts a personification of Liberty surrounded by dead and dying people. This central figure is also referred to as Marianne or France Defiant. On top of the figure's right leg is a dead son, while she holds a baby in one hand and a broken sword in the other. The monument bears an inscription near the base which reads in part: