A striking giant metal grasshopper sculpture has landed on the lawn of the Franche-Comté Houses Museum in Nancray, France, following a generous donation that will make the artwork accessible to the general public for the first time in decades. The sculpture, created in 1972 by renowned artist Paul Gonez, represents a large green grasshopper painted in black and has found its permanent home at the museum upon the artist's own suggestion.
The artwork's journey to the museum began when Gonez, a sculptor known for several monumental works including the piece called "Alliance" which can be observed at the roundabout of the same name in Étalans, personally recommended the museum as the ideal location for his creation. Originally purchased by a private collector in 1972, the sculpture was initially installed in a private residence in Chalezeule. When that house was later sold, the Cartier family inherited the unique artwork and kept it in their family garden until recently.
Before its installation at the museum, the sculpture underwent careful restoration work performed by the original artist himself, Paul Gonez. The artist personally selected the specific location for the piece within the museum grounds, choosing what he described as an "intimate" spot situated between a small garden and the current Three Witches Inn. According to museum director Virginie Duède-Fernandez, this location was strategically chosen because it is "a place where there is often activity" and represents "a fairly important place for cultural mediation," as the nearby building frequently hosts exhibitions.
Pierre Contoz, president of the joint syndicate of the Franche-Comté Houses Museum, praised the donation as an "extraordinary act" and celebrated it as "a strong act of civic duty" that will allow the general public to enjoy Paul Gonez's artwork. While thanking the Cartier family for their generous gift, Contoz assured them that the museum would take excellent care of the sculpture and expressed his anticipation of the many photographs that visitors will be able to take in front of the distinctive piece.
The Cartier family, unable to continue preserving the artwork themselves, expressed their delight at being able to share it with a broader audience in what they called "a very beautiful place for it." With emotional thoughts of his father, Mr. Cartier thanked Mr. Gonez and congratulated him on finding a location "where people could continue to come see the grasshopper." The sculpture now serves as both an artistic landmark and a testament to the community's commitment to preserving and sharing cultural heritage with future generations.
