The Seagull of Montparnasse — Steel on Wood Block by Arnaud Quercy

About This Artwork

La Mouette de Montparnasse explores the persistence of wildness within urban environments through abstract steel sculpture. Part of the Nature in the City collection, this work captures the moment when a seagull hovers against the wind, freezing that singular instant where flight becomes suspended tension. Quercy addresses how urban wildlife claims metropolitan spaces, creating territories within the city's infrastructure.

The sculpture presents polished and patinated steel surfaces that catch and reflect light across angular forms. Cold-formed steel creates the bird's essential geometry while maintaining the material's industrial character. The contrast between smooth polished areas and darker patinated sections defines the seagull's form through surface treatment rather than literal representation. The steel's reflective qualities change with viewing angle and ambient light.

The work measures sixty by eighty-six by thirty-five centimeters and weighs approximately twelve kilograms. Mounted on a dark wood block base, the sculpture establishes a strong vertical presence. The piece carries certificate of authenticity number 20240930-0205 with the artist's signature located below. Created in France during September 2024, the work represents Quercy's investigation of urban wildlife adaptation through abstract sculptural form.