Jean Baptiste Clément (1836 - 1903) was a chansonnier from Montmartre, a journalist and an elected member of the Commune for the 18th arrondissement. He wrote the emblematic song of the Commune, "Le temps des cerises", as well as "La semaine sanglante". Less well known, he also wrote the famous children's song "Dansons la capucine".

He fought arms-in-hand on one of the last barricades in the rue de la Fontaine-au-Roi. After his exile in London, he continued his activities as a socialist activist until his death.

The plaque in the square contains a number of errors, including the fact that J.B. Clément was never mayor, but delegate of the 18th arrondissement, since the office of mayor did not exist under the Commune.

Many artists rallied to the Commune through the federation of artists, which brought together up to 400 painters, sculptors, architects, decorators and engravers, as well as the artistic federation, which brought together professionals in the dramatic and lyrical arts. On the other hand, writers, with rare exceptions such as Jules Vallès, opposed the Commune. They were often dependent on aristocratic and bourgeois circles. What's more, provincial writers only received Versailles newspapers.

The demands of the Communard artists centred on the freedom of the artist from all powers and on the management of artistic fields by the artists themselves. The notion of "communal luxury" was opposed to the imperial luxury of the Second Empire.

Looking towards the rue Lepic, you can see two windmills, a reminder of the importance of this activity in the Middle Ages and well into the 19th century. During the siege of Paris, an innovative and powerful long-distance electric lighthouse was installed against the Moulin de la Galette to illuminate the movements of the Prussian troops.