OK, I know it's a bit morbid, but take it simply as a work of art. This sculpture belongs to the grave of Jean Legaret, a French politician born in 1913 and now obviously dead... I found it the same day I photographed this in the Montparnasse cemetery and I really loved it. That is all I can say, not very exiting I know ;-)
It's exciting for me because I love typography! This font is a bit odd for a grave, but really cool. It's as if it was hand-written.
ReplyDeleteTres interessant. Cemeteries are a gold mine of artistic creativity: creations for terminations.
ReplyDeleteI like the streaks that have formed on his cheeks. Looks like war paint.
ReplyDeleteParis to do/to visit list cont.
ReplyDelete6. Montparnasse cemetery (plan for several hours' visit)
7. Eat in a real restaurant
8. Meet Eric (oh wait! that's number one!)
A death mask on a stand -- I didn't know what I was missing!
Jeff - I agree with you about art made for one's ending and I find this terribly touching even though it speaks only about his public functions. I had a death in my family this past week and I cannot think of any more meaningful moment of expression nor, if one chooses burial, any more appropriate place for the feelings to be expressed.
ReplyDeleteETSuzy - I agree about the stains and to me, they look like tears. The lettering also makes it very personal. This photo is going right onto my PDP slideshow.
Carrie -- so sorry to hear about your loss. You and Jeff are both right about a memorial like this being a beautiful and fitting expression of one's feelings. I could spend hours (and have) in Paris's cemeteries, and find this not at all morbid, Eric. (I've already told my kids that when I die I want them to take my ashes to Paris and scatter them in Pere Lachaise.)
ReplyDeleteI love what I'm feeling when I look at this photo.
ReplyDeleteSomething stronger than you.
Something peaceful and obvious.
Wren, your last sentence is so funny - I'm sharing it :)
All my thoughts.
Caro ~ I'm very sorry for your loss. This memorial is beautiful - the way the sculptured piece 'floats' inside the surrounds - and the handwritten look of the inscription really humanises it.
ReplyDeleteThis close up is art itself Eric.
ReplyDeleteI really love it, too, Eric. The Paris cemeteries are always on my list of things to see. So beautiful and peaceful.
ReplyDeleteCarrie--My sympathy for your loss. It is coming up on the third anniversary of the death of a very good friend of mine, and I still think of him every day. While the pain doesn't go away, there are also the good memories to smile about.
Alexa--I have also told my family to scatter me in Paris. I hope I am on of those good Americans who go to Paris when they die.
So sorry, Carrie.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much to everyone for your thoughts. I haven't thought yet where I want to be scattered. But, Paris sounds pretty nice! Plus, I'd get to give someone a trip to Paris! : )
ReplyDeleteLike Alexa, I don't think its morbid, Eric, to talk about these things. I'm recording all my favorite music so I can have it for my last days (if I get that luxury). I think its a time when giving loving and compassionate moments to one's self and others helps balance out the pain of loss.
J'aime bien ce cimetière et je le visite souvent.
ReplyDeleteAlfred Dreyfus is buried there, he was my great grandfather.
wonderful picture, I loved! I had some graves photos too, and this morbid feelings depends a lot of your culture. Brazilians have this feelings a lot. Otherwise, in Pere Lachaise cemetery, at Paris, I talked with a old man that used to walk there every day. He told me that nobody complained about his cigar and he could walk without car traffic problems. Sounds weird, but... maybe he was right!
ReplyDeleteIt's an odd relief actually....the stains look like tears, but I cannot get it out of my mind that he has almost a smirk/smile on his face....
ReplyDeleteMrs. Vandertramp, it's sacrilegious, but never the less, a great quote....
"...I hope I am on of those good Americans who go to Paris when they die."
Sean
LOL Euro Style. Really bad typo. I have a new netbook and am still getting used to the keyboard. I'd better proofread more carefully.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to go there and see it by myself.
ReplyDeleteI like the "now obviously dead" part...LOL! Funny!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Vandertramp: I was wondering if you knew the connection of your "name" as a tool used in the study of the French Language??? As in "Dr. Mrs. Vandertramp"??? I'll give you a clue. Each letter stands for a verb!