Sunday 17 April 2011

Paris Eye 18/30 - Le Droit et Le Loi


Alphonse Baudin, dead for France, at the age of 40, 3rd December, 1851. A medical doctor, and representative of the people in the National Assembly, killed on the barricades defending 'the right and the law' against the soldiers of Bonaparte III. This memorial erected by his fellow citizens in 1872. However, his body no longer rests here, as it was removed to the Pantheon in time for the centenary of the Republique in 1889.


This is the sort of yarn I delight in finding as I wander a cemetery. Today I meandered through Cimeterie de Montmatre, having already trawled Passy, Montparnesse and Pere LaChaise. They are all quite different to each other in style and presentation. They each have their famous citzens, and a guide to locate their resting place. But me? I prefer to meander and stumble over what I may.

Today it was Alphonse ...

11 comments:

Dianne said...

I'm so pleased you stumbled apon magnificent Alphonse - the rustic patina is breathtakingly beautiful and the close up of the hand superbe! Magnifique.

Joan Elizabeth said...

The patina is amazing. What a great find ... reminds me of Death the Leveller.

Virginia said...

Wonderful details Julie. You're right, I"m not all that excited about the notables, just love to wander and find something interesting. You certainly captured this one so well. I"m taking lessons from you, you know.
V

Kay L. Davies said...

Beautiful, Julie.
Parks and cemeteries...wonderful places in which to wander.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Bob Crowe said...

Perceptive details. Paris' cemeteries have no peer. I like Berlioz's tomb in Montmartre (but then I'm a big fan) and Oscar Wilde's in Pere Lachaise.

Jim said...

Very interesting.

Joe said...

What an amazing memorial. How can the inanimate seem so alive?

diane b said...

A terrific sculpture to stumble upon with an interesting tale too.

Rae Walter said...

Amazing sculptures captured so well. Fascinating post.

freefalling said...

That 5th shot - from behind his head - is beautiful.

Julie said...

I found him the most fascinating of 'people' to roam around. No matter which way I observed him, he was of the 'recently dead'. What I think I loved, and that you are responding to here, is vulnerability. The sculptor and the mason have done a superb job - like no other. I just adore the detail of the bullet hole.