But who was Eugene Spuller?

The residents of the “third” know this: their district town hall is located on rue Eugène Spuller, which extends along the Carreau du Temple, on the entrance side.

But who has ever wondered who Eugène Spuller (1835-1896) was?

Here is the answer: deputy from 1877 to 1892, then senator, this illustrious character exercised important government functions under the Third Republic: Minister of Public Education in 1887, then Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1889-1890.

Until December 17, 2017, you can admire a portrait of the politician at the Petit Palais as part of a remarkable exhibition dedicated to the Swedish virtuoso painter Anders Zorn (1860-1920).

“By representing him in three quarters, with an imperious and determined air, Zorn gave Spuller a presence in keeping with his great career,” we can read under the painting.

This oil on canvas from 1891 is normally exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts in Dijon.

Several works from the Swedish artist's “Parisian decade” are also exhibited at the Petit Palais.