Photo By Gail

This bronze figure of Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) appeared in 2023 on New York City’s 5th Avenue, near Central Park on a low wall in the garden of the Payne Whitney Mansion, which houses the Villa Albertine, the cultural center of the French Embassy. This statue is based on the beloved character from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s 1943 novella, which is one of the most translated and best-selling books in the world, though I have never read it.

Created by sculptor / artist Jean-Marc de Pas, it was installed as part of a celebration marking 80 years since the book’s publication by the American Society of Le Souvenir Francais, Inc., in collaboration with French and international cultural organizations. In this bronze sculpture, the Little Prince is depicted gazing skyward while perched on the garden’s street-facing retaining wall — symbolizing wonder, exploration, and innocence, much like the themes of the book.

Sadly, it wasn’t a permanent fixture — more of a public art installation — but it generated lots of attention, especially given its placement at such a high-profile NYC location. The statue  connected the public to the timeless messages of friendship, responsibility, and seeing with the heart, which are core to The Little Prince.