Jacquard Statue, Calais

The Jacquard Statue in Calais stands as a tribute to Joseph Marie Jacquard (1752–1834), the inventive mind behind the semi-automatic loom that transformed textile production. This iconic loom used punched cards to replicate intricate designs, a breakthrough that fueled Calais' rise to fame as a center for lace production. Situated opposite the Grand Theater of Calais, a building itself a nod to Paris's Opéra Garnier, the statue highlights the profound impact of Jacquard’s invention on the local economy and culture.

Commissioned through public subscription and sculpted by Marius Roussel, the statue was inaugurated in 1910. Henri Henon, an ardent supporter of Calais's lace heritage, helped fund the project by dedicating the proceeds from his book History of the Mechanism of the Tulle and Lace Industry in Calais. The original statue was removed during World War II but was replaced in 1954, continuing its symbolic presence in the city.

Beyond honoring Jacquard himself, the monument also acknowledges other pivotal figures in lace technology. Medallions on the pedestal commemorate Martyn and Ferguson, innovators who improved lace power looms and advanced the industry further. This enduring monument not only celebrates the technical ingenuity of Jacquard and his contemporaries but also stands as a proud reminder of Calais’ centuries-old lace-making tradition, particularly in the Saint Pierre district, where the industry blossomed in the 18th and 19th centuries.