
New York City, September 20, 2019
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 2019 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped has been in the make for 60 years. Christo (ChristoVladimirov Javacheff), was born in 1935 in Gabrovo, Bulgaria and died inMay 2020 in New York City, and Jeanne-Claude (Jeanne-Claude Marie Denat de Guillebon)was born in 1935 in Casablanca, Morocco and died in November 2009 in New YorkCity. The artists are internationally known for their monumental temporary artworks.

Paris, 1985
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1985 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
In 1961, three years after they met in Paris, Christo and Jeanne-Claude began creating temporary works of art in public spaces. Christo then imagined wrapping the Arc de Triomphe. In 1962-1963, he created a photomontage with L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped,seen from Foch Avenue, and again featured the Arc de Triomphe wrapped in a collagein 1988. He began actively developing this project in 2017, and now 60 years later, it is finally realised.

Photomontage 1963-1963
25.2 x 70.8 cm (9⅞ x 27⅞ in)
Property of the Estate of Christo V. Javacheff
Photo: Shunk-Kender
© 1963 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation and J. Paul Getty Trust
The Arc de Triomphe monument is wrapped in 25,000 square meters ofrecyclable silvery blue polypropylene fabric and 3,000 meters of recyclable redpolypropylene rope. The project is entirely funded through the sale of originalartworks by Christo, including preparatory studies and collages, models, worksfrom the 1950s and 1960s and lithographs. Like all of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s projects, it will receive no public funds or sponsorships.
L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped is on view from Saturday, September 18 to Sunday, October 3, 2021. In accordance with Christo’s wishes, the project was completed by his team in partnershipwith the Centre des monuments nationaux (CMN) and with the support of theCentre Pompidou and Ville de Paris.

L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, Paris, 1961-2021
Paris, 2021
Photo: Benjamin Loyseau
© 2021 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation

L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (Project for Paris) Place de l’Etoile – Charles de Gaulle
Drawing 2020 in two parts
Pencil, charcoal, pastel, wax crayon, enamel paint, architectural drawing, map, and fabric sample
38 x 244 cm and 106.6 x 244 cm (15 x 96 in and 42 x 96 in)
Property of the Estate of Christo V. Javacheff
Photo: André Grossmann
© 2020 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation

Paris, September 14, 2021
Photo: Benjamin Loyseau
© 2021 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation

Paris, September 14, 2021
Photo: Benjamin Loyseau
© 2021 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation

Paris, September 12, 2021
Photo: Benjamin Loyseau
© 2021 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
“It will be like a living object which will move in the wind and reflect the light. With itsmoving folds, the monument’s surface will become sensual. People will want to touchthe Arc de Triomphe,” Christo

L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, Paris, 1961-2021
Paris, 2021
Photo: Lubri
© 2021 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation

Arc de Triumphe, Wrapped (Project for Paris)
Collage 1988
Pencil, fabric, twine, pastel, charcoal, wax crayon, map, and Photostat
71 x 56 cm (28 x 22 in)
Private collection
Photo: André Grossmann
© 1988 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
Courtesy Centre des monuments nationaux / Perle Productions — 2021 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
“It will be like a living object which will move in the wind and reflect the light. With itsmoving folds, the monument’s surface will become sensual. People will want to touchthe Arc de Triomphe,” Christo said.
The project was submitted to the Centre des monuments nationaux by the CentrePompidou, which organized the exhibition “Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Paris!” in 2020,and is supported by the City of Paris.
_