Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Etienne-Gaspard Robert (1764-1837) division 8 Pere-Lachaise

Better known by his stage name Etienne Robertson, was a Belgian stage magician and early exploiter of the "phantasmagoria." A professor of physics in his native Liege, in 1784, he gave an exhibition of an improved magic lantern, the phantasmagoria. He was also a serious balloonist.


Bas-reliefs by Hardouin:





Monday, January 28, 2013

Porte Principale, Pere-Lachaise



Saturday, January 26, 2013

Christina Paraschos-Mack (died 1995) division 8 Pere-Lachaise

What's the music Christina's hands will be forever playing?

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Jacob Robles (1782-1842) division 7 Pere-Lachaise

Whether or not this sculpture "Le Silence," by Auguste Preault (division 49-2), represents a woman holding a finger to her lips, it still makes for a tiny mystery.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Heloise and Abelard division 7 Pere-Lachaise

Separated in life, together in death. Abduction, castration, terror, fear and the profound anguish caused by the loss of your one and only love, Heloise d'Argenteuil and Peter Abelard remains ultimate romantic tale of "undying" love.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Cassereau division 6 Pere-Lachaise

There's just something about this particular sculpture -- I have no idea whether it represents someone buried in this location or is merely symbolic of the quality of a life lived. There seems to be no direct historical appeal, either. It's the movement, a gesture forever captured in the state of moving, the act of being caught doing something delicate, tender and so alive.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Mur des Federes division 76

Remembering those communards who were lined up against the wall on the left, and summarily shot on May 28, 1871. Their bodies were thrown in a trench located beneath the feet of the group facing the camera.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Monument aux morts division 4 Pere-Lachaise and Paul-Albert Bartholome (1848–1928) division 4 Pere-Lachaise

Said to be inspired by the death of his wife (1895), this incredible group of sculptures was created by Paul-Albert Bartholome (1848–1928), who is buried just a few meters away (see below), also in division 4. He also created the monument to Rousseau in the Panthéon as well as the monuments to Dubufe in division 10 and Meilhac and Pam, both in Montmartre Cemetery (division 21 and 3 respectively).


Details:



Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Ignace Hoff (1836-1902) division 4 Pere-Lachaise

Ignace Hoff, often called "Sergeant Hoff," was a national hero during the siege of Paris in 1870. Sculpture by Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904), buried in division Montparnasse Petit Cemetery. And yes, you're quite right -- Bartholdi was the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty sitting in New York harbor.


Saturday, January 05, 2013

Francois Felix Faure (1841-1899) division 4 Pere-Lachaise

The seemingly peaceful figure of Felix Faure, president of France from 1895 until his death in 1899, belies the turmoil of the last years of his life which saw his administration embroiled in the notorious Dreyfus Affair. Sculpture by Rene de Saint-Marceaux (1845-1915).

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Louis-Tullius-Joachim Visconti (1791-1853) division 4 Pere-Lachaise

Louis Visconti was an Italian-born architect and designer who designed many Parisian buildings and squares, including the Place Saint Sulpice, but is perhaps most well-known for designing the tomb of Napoleon at Les Invalides.