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!