Statues - Hither & Thither

Site Search:

Bonsecours
Seine-Maritime
Haute-Normandie

Avenue Numa Servin

Monument commémoratif de Jeanne d'Arc

Memorial of Joan of Arc

Saint Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc), The Maid of Orléans (ca. 1412 - 1431)
national heroine of France, beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. She led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War
(Wikipedia)

Louis-Ernest Barrias
1892

Bonsecours / Monument commémoratif de Jeanne d'Arc

Description

The Memorial of Joan of Arc is executed in an early Renaissance style and stands in front of the Basilica de Bonsecours on granite terrace overlooking the Seine valley. The central shrine is made of pillars supporting a cupola and a bell tower of lead and gilt copper (made by Ferdinand Marrou). The dome is topped by a lantern with on top St. Michael slaying the Dragon in gilded bronze, made by Thomas. Under the dome, are the coats of arms (according to Lisch the names) of the major cities and regions that have marked the life of Joan of Arc: Lorraine, Normandie, Domrémy, Orléans, Reims, and Rouen. On the six pillars are putti with coat of arms. In the center of the shrine is the statue of Joan of Arc (the present statue is a copy, the original is safe in the Basilica) by the sculptor Louis Ernest Barrier. On the socle of the statue is the text: vive labeur (eroneously considered as the motto of Joan of Arc).

The two side pavilions house the the statues of Saint Margaret (by Édouard Pépin - south) and Saint Catherine (by Robert Verlet) (north). The balustrade of the terrace accommodates four sheep (sculpted by Georges Gardet) who seem to take care of their shepherd.

St. Michael (by Thomas)

Saint Catherine (by Robert Verlet)

Saint Margaret (by Édouard Pépin)

sheep (by Georges Gardet)

Inscription(s)

JOANNE Aurelianensi PUELLOE Galliarum Servatrici
Impus manibus Rothomagi combustoe
Hanc Ædiculam nefandi facinorus piacularem
In gratissimoe venerationis pignus
Operi et Christi fidelium donis in hac Aquilarum colle erestam
Amplissima Pontificum et Procerum corona circumdatus
Playdente innumera plebe solemni ritu dedicavit
Pridie Kalendas Julii anni MDCCCXCII
Ipse Operis Promotor H. ac R.R.Lto Carolus Benedictus THOMAS
Archiepiscopus Rothomagensis

Jeanne d'Arc - Timeline

1412 - Approx date of birth
1425 - Visions of Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret, who told her to drive out the English and bring the Dauphin to Rheims for his coronation
1428, May - Went to Vaucouleurs to ask garrison commander, Count Robert de Baudricourt, to send her to the royal French court at Chinon, but is sent away.
1429, February - Baudricourt allows Jeanne to join the Dauphin at Chinon.
1429, May 8 - Lifting of the siege of Orleans
1429, July 17 - Coronation of Charles VII in Reims
1430, May 23 - Captured at Compiègne
1431, May 30 - Executed at Rouen
1871 - After the defeat of 1871, in many French towns and villages statues of Jeanne d'Arc are erected.

Sculptor

Louis-Ernest Barrias (Paris 1841 - Paris 1905), French sculptor (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Bernard Mugnier, La statuaire johannique du XVIe au XXe siècle (Vesoul: l'auteur, 2008), p. 37-40.
Sainte Jeanne d'Arc, Statues en France (WebArchive).
Juste Lisch, Le monument commémoratif de Jeanne D'arc (1892) Bonsecours.

Locatie (N 49°25'17" - E 1°7'16") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: frhn039; Photograph: 28 August 2011
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

Your banner here? Click for information.