At the start of the XXth century, a Committee for Beethoven Monument was set up.It’s objective was the realisation of a monument in honour of Beethoven in the centre of Paris.

A decree by the President of the Republic, dated December 20th 1909, oversaw it’s installation at Ranelagh, Paris. But administrative complications deprived the capital of this monument which was instead erected at Vincennes, on the lawn at Fontenay.Beethoven should have been depicted lying down, half dressed, thoughtful and creative…

But José de Charmoy went to war in 1914, before finishing the monument.

The base was entirely finished, but not the statue. The sculptor died at war and the sculpture has never been finished.

The plaster model was exposed on it’s base for a certain time, but it was too fragile and broke in time into pieces.