Salon de la Jeune Sculpture
The Salon de la Jeune Sculpture was established in 1949 as a platform dedicated to emerging sculptors within the postwar Paris art scene. Founded by Denys Chevalier, it formed part of a broader constellation of postwar salons aimed at supporting younger generations of artists and providing alternatives to more traditional exhibition structures.
Focused specifically on sculpture, the salon offered visibility to artists working across a wide range of approaches, from figurative traditions to increasingly experimental and abstract practices. Like parallel initiatives such as the Salon de Maiand the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles, it contributed to the reconfiguration of the Parisian exhibition landscape, providing a recurring platform for artists seeking recognition outside established institutional hierarchies.
While figuration dominated the first fifteen years of the salon’s activity, the gradual emergence of abstract sculpture led to a division within its participants. In 1964, a number of figurative sculptors withdrew, marking a turning point in the salon’s development.
During its history, the Salon de la Jeune Sculpture took place in various venues. In the subsequent period (1965–1978), it entered a new phase, relocating from its earlier association with the gardens of the Musée Rodin to a series of open-air venues across Paris. This spatial shift was accompanied by a reorientation of its aesthetic priorities, reflecting the growing prominence of abstract and experimental approaches in
