Le Baiser de la Gloire

Axel  SELLIER & Mathis COUTAUD write...

This sculpture was made by Raymond Léon Rivoire. Raymond Léon Rivoire is a French sculptor; he was born in Cusset on the 21^st October 1884 and died in Paris on the 27^th September 1966.

This sculpture is dated 1907. At first, this statue was a tribute to the poet Albert Samain (1858-1900). It was presented at the 1907 Salon with the name of “Communion suprême”, but was rejected by its sponsors. In 1915, it was bought by the state for 12,000 Francs and put in the “Dépot des marbres”.

In 1923, Etienne Clementel, the Lord Mayor of Riom, asked that the statue be brought to his town to be used as a memorial to the dead of the First World War.

It’s a large statue made of white marble. It represents a female angel kissing a man who is about to die. The man has a shroud draped over his body.

The red point on the map below indicates where the statue can be found; it is in the forecourt of the town hall (the Hôtel de Ville).

The red dot on the map shows the location of the statue:

We asked several local people what they think of this statue:

Corinne, 41, looking at a photo of the work: “This statue is extraordinary! I never noticed this statue in Riom, but I think I will go and see it the next time I’m in town.”

Bernadette, 68: I see this statue every morning on my way to the bakery. This is an old statue I think. I would like to know more about it…”

Lucie, 15: “It’s very “pure,” do you know what I mean? It’s all white and very emotional; the angel looks at the man so lovingly. You can imagine what she’s saying: “Don’t be afraid of death, I will see you soon in paradise…””

Mathis, 8: It’s nice. Can we sit on it? I like the angel, she’s got really big wings!

The Angel sings a song to the dying man: “You are not alone, I am here with you, don’t be frightened, I won’t leave you, soon we will meet again in Paradise…”

Juliette RICHARD & Eva SCIAUVAUD add...

Le Baiser de la Gloire has been exposed in the courtyard of the city hall of Riom since it was brought from Paris in 1923 at the request of Etienne Clémentel, the mayor.

The city hall, also called 'Hôtel de Cériers', was built around 1520-1540. Its large proportions show the high status of the man who built it, Amable de Cériers, an upper-middle class person of Riom and chamberlain to the Duke of Bourbon. The city hall is composed of four parts surrounding a courtyard where the statue Le Baiser de la Gloire is located, under the arcades.

The entrance to Riom town hall

The sculptor of Le Baiser de la Gloire is Raymond Léon Rivoire. He was born in a bourgeois family in 1884 in Cusset, a little city in the center of France. He studied in the Paris Beaux-Arts School and he was the apprentice of Injalbert. After having exposed in the salon of the French artists, he received a gold medal in 1929. He also exposed in London, Rome and Buenos Aires. His major work is La Diane au Lévrier which is exposed in the Louvre museum. Rivoire died in 1966.

Le Baiser de la Gloire is a work of 1907. It is made of Carrara white marble. This sculpture has been used as a memorial to the Great War (1914-1918) since the 1920s. It was originally a funeral sculpture ordered by the family of the poet Albert Samain (1858-1900). The angel is a muse; she leans over the man. The muse wants to give a last kiss before the man dies. In 1907, the sculpture was presented at the Salon under the title Communion Suprême. For an unknown reason, this sculpture was refused by Albert Samain’s family. So it was bought by the State in 1915 for 12,000 francs and received a bronze medal at the Salon in 1920.

In 1923, the work was brought to Riom and renamed Le Baiser de la Gloire. The muse became the figure of Glory giving the kiss of peace on the forehead of the dead soldier and wrapping him in her wings. So this statue became a war memorial. On the wall next to the sculpture are written the names of all the men and all the women of Riom who died during the First World War (1914-1918). The man of the statue obviously represents all the men and women whose names are written on the wall.

Map of Riom in the 1920s

Interviews of local people

First person: I know the name of the sculptor and the place where it is. This statue is really wonderful. When my family comes to see me and we go outside, I often take them to see this beautiful work of art. The place, where it is, is very accessible. It’s really a nice place too. In summer it is pleasant because you are protected from the sun and over there, there is a wall where the names of people living in Riom who died during the war are written. I think people come to see the wall and at the same time, see the statue.

Second person: I remember this statue is made of very beautiful white marble. It’s not well displayed because we have to enter in the city hall to appreciate the sculpture. It would have been better to expose it in a public spot despite the risks of damage. I find this statue very elegant. The faces of the two people are well-represented with a lot of details. It’s extraordinary to be able to sculpt these details in a big block of marble! I think that there is a perspective: your view begins at the feet of the man, and then you guess the legs of the man and his body, after your attention is attracted by the faces and finally by the fabulous kiss which represents death but also glory and victory. If the kiss is the bridge between life and death I think it may be pleasant to die or just less difficult…

Third person: I don’t know the statue you mention because I don’t live in Riom. I just come to visit my family. But I have heard of “La vierge à l’enfant.”

The soldier remembers...

My darling wife, I am, in my dying moments, thinking about the wonderful times we have spent together. I would like to be with you now but it’s impossible. During this horrible War, I was shot in the guts. I just had few minutes left to live. I wanted to tell you everything I never had the courage to tell you. I love you more than anything and anyone and I know you will miss me but I will be forever with you even if you don’t see me. I want you to be strong and remember that I love you and I will love you forever and ever. I know that life will be difficult for you without me but I want you to live for both of us and for our children. Kiss the children and tell them how I love them and how I’m proud of them. I’m not worried for our wonderful children, they will find work, they will be happy. It’s all I hope for them. I just want their happiness. Continue to be the best mother for them and continue to be happy for them. I feel the kiss of the angel of death, but I am at peace…

Michel de l’Hospital

Clément FILANCIA & Amaury CHADRIN write:

The statue of Michel de l'Hospital is situated in the square of the garden of the Court of Appeal of Riom. This garden was created in 1870, it is for the Court of Appeal. It opened to the public in 1993. It is the setting for the Sainte-Chapelle, a part of of the ducal palace built by the Duke de Berry at the end of the 14^th century in the Gothic style. The garden was designed by Agis Ledru. It was the site of the old prison. The driveway is curved around along the garden walls. The paths give unity to the apse of the Sainte-Chapelle. The large oval driveway reduces the passage in front of the statue of Michel de l'Hospital. This garden is the only public green space in Riom located within the area. The apse of the Sainte-Chapelle and the courthouse close the garden to the north.

The sculpture of Michel de l'Hospital was made by Paul-Louis-Eugène Sollier. He was born on September 14^th 1844 in Paris and died in 1915 in Paris. He made numerous sculptures including Le Géneral Joubert and Le Buste d’Adrien.

This marble statue, showing a thoughtful and serious man sitting on a chair, was made in 1881. He holds a book in his hand and his right foot is on a cushion. He wears a long coat that covers his entire body. He has not got much hair and he has a big beard. The statue is on a pedestal. The statue is next to the Appeal Court of Riom since Michel de l'Hospital was a conciliator who tried to be fair and respect the point of view of all parties. The statue was originally in front of the National Assembly in Paris and was donated by King Charles X to the town of Riom in 1822. This statue reminds us, seen from the side, of the famous Rodin Thinker in Paris. The statue is such a familiar site that most people pay no attention to it.

Michel de l'Hospital was born around 1506 in a castle near Aigueperse. He was the son of Jean de l’Hospital, chief physician and adviser to Charles, Duke of Bourbon, who was Constable of France. Michel de l'Hospital is remembered first and foremost as a lawyer, a great Humanist of his time, who loved Italy, studying and travelling there on several occasions. He began his training in Italy at the University of Padua, where he became a professor of civil law. This training may partly explain the extent of the necessary judicial reforms Michel de l'Hospital wanted. His legal career continued when he was appointed Chief of Justice to the Exchequer in 1540 and especially when he became the first President of the Paris Cours des Comptes. He was named Chancellor of France on May 1^st 1560 by King François II. He is the main contributor to the regency of Catherine de Medicis. He summoned the representatives of the Catholic and Reformed religions at Colloquy of Poissy (1561) and tried to harmonize the views of each. Facing fanaticism of both sides, he failed. Michel de l'Hospital was considered a very great writer. His Epistles were indeed compared to those of Horace. He also wrote poetry. The majority of his works are, however, related to his political role: Treaty on the reform of justice, Speech for the majority of Charles IX, and three speeches. Michel de l’Hospital is above all a symbol of tolerance. He died on March 13^th 1573 at the Château de Belesbat in Boutigny-sur-Essonne.

Map to help you find the statue!

Sources: Bibliothèque de Riom, Tour de l’Horloge, Wikipédia, Parcs et Jardins de France; Musée Mandet.

Interviews of local people about this statue:

We interviewed the manager of the Riom Clock Tower: she finds that the statue is well situated and people understand its importance because of its high pedestal. This is normal because he was an important statesman in France. He deserves a monumental statue; it is our way to pay tribute to him and remind people of his contribution to democracy.

Then, we interviewed a young person who was at the park: he said he knew of Michel de l’Hospital but, he added, that it was pity the statue has not been cared for properly so it has become less beautiful over the years. He added that it should have been exposed in a more frequented place to be more noticed by more people and to emphasize the role played by Michel de l’Hospital.

Finally, we interviewed an adult in Riom who said he knew little about this statue because it was too far from the street, hidden in the park. He mentioned that before the statue had been in Paris; moving it to Riom is a way of showing the importance of our town.

Michel speaks...

"My name is Michel. I was born over 500 years ago! I am French of course and I was a respected chancellor and writer. Eugène Sollier, the sculptor of the statue in front of you made me look good don’t you think?  It used to be in Paris. I could see the Palais Bourbon from where I sat. Then it was moved to Riom. Here I see a few people from time to time in the park. I appreciate the fresh air and the calm but I get a bit lonely sometimes.

When I was in Paris near the National Assembly I used to see a lot of people passing by. People knew what I stood for: I defended human rights and I encouraged mutual understanding between people. I’m not sure the people of Riom know who I am… Perhaps my statue should have been moved to Clermont-Ferrand, the regional capital? There, I would have been next to public buildings and local dignitaries would have saluted me as they walked past.

When I was in Paris, I used to see a lot of people every day. There were protests, revolutions, revolts, politicians giving great speeches, journalists, etc. Every day something was happening. Here, the days go by and often I only have pigeons for company!

In the Auvergne, I regret that historians do not organize conferences to explain what I did for the region in order to inform young people about what I did for them. Sometimes I dream that they have created a museum to honor me. In this museum young people could discover all my adventures, my political commitment.

Still, I should not complain too much; I feel a little bit proud because my statue has been placed in front of the Courts of Justice."

Pierre MONTAGNIER & Margot RAY add...

Michel de l'Hospital was born in about 1506 at Château Rocher near Aigueperse in the Puy-de-Dôme.

Having started a brilliant humanist legal career at the University of Padua, first as a student and then as Professor of Civil Law, Michel de L'Hospital made a long stay in Italy. Delegate to the Grands Jours de Mills (1540), Riom (1542) and Tours (1546), he became first president of the Paris Chamber of accounts.

His political career began in 1560, when Catherine de Medici called for a policy of reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants.

Michel de L'Hospital, became, above all, a symbol of tolerance.

Despite the support of Ronsard, and in spite of the great journey presenting the young Charles IX to his people (1564-1566), the champion of the agreement between the French failed completely. The 1560-1570 decade shows decisively that France definitely went on the Catholic side, leading to an inevitable bloody showdown.

Michel withdrew from public life in 1568 to settle in his property Vignay, in the parish of Champmotteux. The queen regent, however, still wanted to avoid civil war and recalled him six months later. He negotiated the peace, but to no avail and, in 1568, the chancellor was removed from the government. Tired of religious discord, he went to live permanently in Vignay. On 1 February 1573, feeling his end near, he signed the act of resignation from office as Chancellor of France. He died Castle Bélesbat on March 13^th of that year, recalling in his will that tolerance is the first virtue that should be practiced among men.

Castle Vignay no longer exists but the small church of Champmotteux contains the beautiful tomb that was elevated to the chancellor and was later restored.

Do local people like this statue? We asked ten people at random in Riom. Only three people recalled having seen it. When shown a picture of the statue, nine out of ten people found it attractive/interesting.

Lisa GALLAY, Maylis GUBIAN & Albane DUHAIL add…

The statue of the Chancellor Michel de l'Hospital is in the public garden of the Sainte-Chapelle in Riom, next to the courthouse. It was created in 1881 by the Parisian Eugène Sollier (1844-1915).

The sandstone statue is on a high base. The bearded sitting figure is holding a book in his hand, symbolizing erudition. He is wearing a long coat so we don’t see his body. He looks a little like Rodin’s Thinker. Originally, it was in front of the National Assembly, in Paris, and was offered to the city of Riom in 1822 by the king Charles X.

The public garden in which the statue is located is the only green space located within the perimeter delimited by the former ramparts. It's an English-style garden created by Agis-Léon Ledru an architect and politician born in Clermont-Ferrand and who was its mayor. Before the park was created in 1870, there was a prison on this spot. It opened to the general public in 1993. A path goes around a central lawn with a small pond. The chevet of the Sainte-Chapelle overshadows the garden. One can see the law courts just behind the chapel.

Michel de l'Hospital was born sometime between 1504 and 1507 in the La Roche castle near Aigueperse and died on March 13^th 1573 in the castle of Belesbat in Boutigny-sur-Essonne. He was advisor to the parliament of Paris in 1537, an ambassador to the Council of Thirty, counsellor of the “Conseil d'État”, superintendent of finances in 1554 , Chancellor of France in 1560. He was also a poet who wrote in Latin. His name remains associated with the royal attempts at civil peace during the religious wars. Michel de l'Hospital was considered in his time as a brilliant writer. His Epistles were compared with those of Horace.

Interviews of local people about the statue:

Anne, a pupil of Sainte-Marie school: “I think it is the statue in the garden of the Court of Appeal. I don't really know much about it but I quite like it. The old man looks at us arriving in the park because he is right opposite the entrance.”

Mr Dasilva: “Yes, I know this statue but I know the character better because I went to the high school that bears his name. He was a politician of the sixteenth century and serves as an example of tolerance.”

Sarah: “I don't know where this statue is.”

Maëlle: “Yes, I love this statue it reminds me of picnics with my friends in the park. They are very good memories.”

Etienne (a man in the garden): “I do not live very far but I never really took the time to look at it in detail, it's a great statue!”

Internal monologue of Michel de l'Hospital’s statue...

About twenty years ago, they put that path in front of me, but I’m feeling a little ignored since. It has now been over 130 years since Eugene Sollier created me… It's difficult to admire me beneath my layers of dust!

A while back - I was daydreaming and reading my book as usual - a young man did a sketch of me. He showed me the drawing, it wasn’t bad… I love artists!

Yesterday, a group of pupils who only spoke English paid me a visit me and took selfies with me. Ah, I do like the company!

Le Gaulois Mourant

Mathis BERNARD & Quentin JULIA write...

This dramatic statue in a realistic style shows a Gaulish warrior trying to save his injured friend. He calls out for help.

It was made by Henri Gréber. He was born in 1854 in Beauvais and he died in 1941 in Paris. He was a sculptor, but also an engraver and ceramist. He studied at the local School of Arts. In the 1870s, his father built the ceramics factory in Beauvais.

Today the statue is in the Virlogeux public garden in Riom. This public garden was at first a place for the local fair, then a training area for the soldiers from the Vercingetorix barracks, and finally it was fitted out as a garden for the visit of Napoleon III on July 5th, 1862.

In 1902, thanks to the mayor Étienne Clémentel, two new statues were added to the public garden, one of which was the Gaulois Mourant (The Dying Gaul). The name of the garden is a tribute to Claude and Pierre Virlogeux, Résistance fighters of the Second World War. The public garden was renovated between 2011 and 2013.

The two Gaulish soldiers in our photos were taken from a low angle to give a dramatic effect. The fuzzy effect is our way of symbolizing an event forgotten in the mists of time…

What do local people think of the statue?

Paul, 17, pupil at Virlogeux Lycée, never noticed this statue before and finds it really useless. "It is not visible, it’s badly placed,” he said. He apparently does not like statues; he does not see the point of them, and so does not pay attention to them.

Isabelle, 38, pharmacist, goes past this statue in the park every day on her way to work. She says she likes this statue because it evokes mystery. She also likes it because it is not showy and does not shock. She finds that the park is very attractive and this statue has its place.

Clothilde, now 72, often came to play in the park with her friends when she was a girl. She does not feel the statue has a particular interest for the park but it has a sentimental value for her. She confided that it brings back a lot of memories.

Dialogue between the Gaulish warriors:

First warrior: (cries in pain) Ahhh!

Second warrior: Come on, you can make it!

First warrior: Leave me, I’ll just slow you down…

Second warrior: I have to take you out of here! The Romans are going to catch us, come on, get up before they kill us both!

First warrior: I don’t have the strength to stand anymore…

Second warrior: I won’t let you down, get up, man!

First warrior: No, leave me, tell my sons that I am proud of them and… (dies suddenly)

Le Monde

Le Monde is a sculpture by Didier Sandrin. It is a bronze sphere symbolizing the world. The signs of an invented writing and the artist’s name are inscribed on its surface. There are handprints also on the sculpture. The base is in the same axis as the street. Didier Sandrin is a sculptor who lives in Volvic. There is no more information about it, and we don’t know when it was erected...

Interviews of local people

Nathalie, 46: “I have never paid much attention to this sculpture.”

Jacques, 63: “It is rather simple and discreet, it is part of the decor and we do not really notice it.”

Pierre, 56: “We do not really see what it represents; the engravings are abstract in form, except the handprints.”

Marcel, 72: “I love this sculpture, it’s beautiful. It’s my favourite sculpture because it is not like the others.”

Dialogue

BGR: Hey!

Child: Oh, a big ball that speaks! Who are you?

BGR: I’m the BGR!

Child: The what?

BGR: I’m the Big Globe of Riom! I’m unique!

Child: But why are you here?

BGR: Some people stuck me down, so I can’t move…

Child: Are you happy here?

BGR: Yes, of course Riom is a beautiful little city. I see a lot of people in the restaurants, bars, or on their way to church… This street is very busy. On some days the weather is good, at other times, less. Imagine if they had put me in Siberia, I would have frozen, or in Africa, I would have melted!

Child: Do you often speak to people?

BGR: I try to, but people don’t often listen, they are in too much of a hurry…