Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Le Christ mort


Of course this sculpture could never make it up to the newly elected wonder of the world Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer Statue (see more on Monica's blog ;)) but let me assure you that it is really breathtaking. I found it by sheer coincidence while I was looking for something to photograph in the Invalides. I have been unable to find out if it was made after the 1521 painting of Hans Holbein le Jeune - whose painting is actually in Basel, in Switzerland - and/or if a different artist made it. Anyway, if you're around the Invalides one of these days, it's worth visiting the chapel, just to see this stunning piece of art.

21 comments:

  1. Graveyards are a phenomenal source of inspiration with the legendary Pere Lachaise being the ultimate photographer's heaven of course! You must have done all of Paris' cemetaries by now, haven't you Eric?!

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  2. Well Sab, I have done Père Lachaise, Montparnasse and a little bit of Montmartre (but never posted the photos). I still miss a couple places.

    But Since I'm going to have a new scooter starting this Monday I will be able to move around the city more easily. There is one, in particular that I'm thinking of paying a visit... Sushhhhh!

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  3. A NEW SCOOTER?? You know what i'm going to say don't you Eric. I asked for pics of the other one which sadly died but can we have a pic of the new scooter please. Preferably with you on it? Oh yeah the photo's good today too but i'm just thinking about the scooter... :)

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  4. Eric!!!! So touched by you mentioning our Christ Redeemer Statue!!! I can't thank you enough!!! Or can I?


    THANKSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! YOU'RE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I'm kinda speechless by the surprise of seeing this, but then again I've got to find words to comment on this photo. I think it's very impressive, the position of the statue, the face expression.. it even reminded me of the feeling we get when seeing La Pieta, in Vatican.

    Is this sculpture near Napoleon's tomb, or is the chapel in a different area of Invalides? I will look for it.

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  5. I also want to visit Père Lachaise... wow even the cemeteries in Paris are interesting!

    Oh and congrats on you new scooter, I think Lynn's photo request is very reasonable!
    ;-)

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  6. Powerful and moving. Merci, Eric! BTW...hope you have a helmet.

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  7. I'll bet this is incredible to see in person.

    My favorite cemetery gravesite in Paris is the one that has the couple in bed together - tres bizarre!!!

    I join in the request for a photo of Eric-sur-scooter!!

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  8. The Pere L. cemetery is fantastic. I have over 100 photos of the place. We saw this statue at the Invalides. Agreed, it is breathtaking.

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  9. This really is a wonderful piece, isn't it? Although just as humane as Holbein's (and even Mantegna's) treatment of the same subject, this work is much less cadaverous, and therefore much more engaging: indeed, despite being carved of marble, the body of this Christ is clearly not yet cold. The look of exhaustion on his face is still a living expression, not the frozen mask of a corpse, while the parting of lips suggests a final, weary exhalation – perhaps even a final whisper. I particularly like the way in which the sculptor has modelled the hair, which swirls down from the crown of his head and winds its way into a pale (but substantial) halo, before timidly exceeding its circumference to make contact with the earth - which the mortal remains of this dying Messiah will soon be leaving. Of all the sculptures I have ever seen on this theme, this is by far the saddest.

    If anyone's interested, more on the subject of "dead Christs" (by Julia Kristeva) can be found here:

    http://voltaires-monkey.blogspot.com/search?q=holbein

    Thanks for the image, Eric. This is yet another Parisian treasure I've somehow managed to miss! It's on the list for next time, though - which I hope will be soon.

    Take care on those new wheels, mon ami!

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  10. Louis's description is wonderfully evocative, your photo much softer than Hans Holbein le Jeune's striking but scary painting.

    Now you look after yourself while on your new two wheels, will you?

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  11. Ha ha! A new scooter - so you'll be scooting all over the place in search of the perfect pic! Good for you and ride safely... and I also think the pic request for Eric on Wheels is reasonable!

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  12. P.S. I volunteer to be your official photographer if you like! ;-)

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  13. An amazing photo of a lifelike sculpture.

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  14. Réveillez-vous, monsieur! c'est l'heure...

    Je me demande où il est maintenant. Je souhaite qu'il vive hors de mon coeur. S'il en est ainsi, même les gens ayant arrêté de croire seraient sauvés.

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  15. I, cannot recall this sculpture in les Invalides, though I spent some time in the main church. I remember less about the "lower" church beyond the numerous flags from the military units. This scupture is a wonderful work of art. And Louis, a very nice critique. Thanks for sharing, both of you.

    Congrats on the new wheels, Eric.

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  16. What can I say about this statue that hasn't already been said? I doubt I'd do it justice, so I'll just leave it at breath-taking.

    You've got another vote for Eric on his scooter photo. You cannot deny your fans, right? To do so just might instigate a riot!

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  17. Definitely dead and not taking a nap.

    Scooter photo, please.

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  18. Merci, Eric...I rememember this from L'Invalides, I visited the Musee de l'Armee for the first time when I was last in Paris and found it fascinating as well. Also, at the same location is another amazing exhibition MUSEE DE LA 2e GUERRE MONDIALE / Gal DE GAULLE which I spent an entire afternoon in! As a child, growing up after WW2, General De Gaulle[as he was always called in our home]Franklin Roosevelt and General MacArthur were spoken of in terms of almost "Sainthood"!!

    A new scooter...Vrrrooooommmm!!??!! Did you get the scooter because of this? what...no Ferrari for you??? Tant pis...methinks you would look quite dashing in a blue Ferrari jetting around Paris[camera in tow]..bien sur! ;-)

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  19. Oh...pardon...speaking of cemeteries, did you see the film Paris je t'aime? there is a great segment where a young English couple are in Paris and the young woman ditches her fiancee because she is searching for the tomb of Oscar Wilde in Pere Lachaise and she adds to the kisses on the tomb and he finds it disgusting!! This is the straw that breaks the proverbial "camels back" for her and she tells him to piss off!! Not a great movie as a whole, but a couple of the segments are terrific and the shots of Paris are amazing!! Au revoir!! :c)

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  20. Well Yes Tonton, I have seen Paris Je t'aime, but I don't remember that scene (I saw it a long time ago though!)

    So... I show you a stunning sculpture and all you you think of is "show us your scooter" LOL!

    Thank you Louis London to bring us back to more elevated considerations through your fantastic words!

    OK, OK you've got it. You'll see me on my scooter. Sab, if your offer still stands...

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  21. I'm on a sofa with laptop in lap, over the top of which I can see my love reclining in a hospital bed in much the same repose as this amazing work of art. The two images coalesce as I think what love each represents to me. Thank you for this image today, Eric. A gift.

    And, we are all waiting to see you on your new wheels. As it happens wheels are the theme of my photo today (11 Jul).
    -Kim

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