The tomb of Abelard and Helose is located in the Père-Lachaise Cemetery. The latter is located north-east of Paris between the former towns of Belleville and Ménilmontant (today, they form the current 19th and 20th districts). It opened in the park of Folie Régnault, property of Régnault de Vendôme, wealthy merchant of spices. Popular people whose ashes are in the cemetery include Balzac, Chopin, Jean-Bapiste Clement, Géricault, and Editch Piaf. In addition, the tombs of the Hugo family, La Fontaine, Oscar Wilde, Molière, Proust, and Rossin are located in the cemetery.
Abelard and Heloise were the cemetery's first guests. Their bodies were transferred from the Paraclete in 1817. The tomb was created in the 19th century in the High Gothic style, also known as the Rayonnant style. The latter was the second phase of the Gothic style and was characterized by the creation of rich visual effects through decoration, as well as the application of elaborate geometrical designs to the already established structural forms. Most of this virtuosity was seen in private tombs and monuments. Abelard and Heloise's tomb's architect was Albert Alexandre Lenoir and Louis Pierre Desseine was the sculptor. It is composed of pointed arches, quatrefoils containing three lobes instead of four, columns, different sculptural ornamentations, and the sculptures of Abelard and Heloise.
Abelard and Heloise were the cemetery's first guests. Their bodies were transferred from the Paraclete in 1817. The tomb was created in the 19th century in the High Gothic style, also known as the Rayonnant style. The latter was the second phase of the Gothic style and was characterized by the creation of rich visual effects through decoration, as well as the application of elaborate geometrical designs to the already established structural forms. Most of this virtuosity was seen in private tombs and monuments. Abelard and Heloise's tomb's architect was Albert Alexandre Lenoir and Louis Pierre Desseine was the sculptor. It is composed of pointed arches, quatrefoils containing three lobes instead of four, columns, different sculptural ornamentations, and the sculptures of Abelard and Heloise.
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| "The remains of Heloise and Abelard are reunited in this tomb" |
Sources
"Père Lachaise Cemetary- Abelard and Heloise." Travel France online, 2015. http://www.travelfranceonline.com/pere-lachaise-cemetery-eloise-and-abelard/ .
"Gothic art." Encyclopedia Britannica, 2015. http://www.britannica.com/art/Gothic-art .
Chanel,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! That is a beautiful burial site. It is interesting that so many popular people were laid to rest at the same location, with Abelard & Heloise being the first!
When the French Revolution came in 1789, it hit monasteries hard, and the Oratory of the Paraclete--first founded by Abelard, and then granted to Heloise--was destroyed. But those who took action left the remains of Abelard and Heloise--and they later were transported to a museum area in Paris and then to this museum. The reason they are "united"--Reunited, as a pop song?--is that 1) Heloise requested his body to come to the Paraclete to be buried, and so it was (see Letter to Peter the Venerable in your book) and 2) that in the 1400s, the abbess of the Paraclete created a double coffin for their bones.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful tomb, and such a romantic notion to be buried with the one you love. I wonder how they would have felt about being buried together, since they refused to truly be publicly be married in life.
ReplyDeleteChanel,
ReplyDeleteIt’s always interesting reading your posts! They offer a bit more insight into the French practices and culture than others can, I believe, as you have intimate knowledge of the language and a connection I believe is not shared amongst all other classmates.
Something I find interesting is that although you mention their bodies were transferred from the Oratory of the Paraclete in 1817, there is no mention to the date that their bodies were actually buried or how long they had been resting there before their moving. I think that this can help us to understand the significance of the movement a bit more, as the resting places of these two individual was physically disturbed, they were removed, and transferred all the way to a new cemetery hundreds of years later. I think it speaks quite a bit to their importance and why exactly they were chosen to be the first entombed there.
Thanks for a great post, as always!
Graham
Were you able to find initially where they were buried? I find it fascinating how through time, other individuals have decided that Abelard and Heloise belong together in death since they did not have that luxury while they were living. I wonder though if both Abelard and Heloise wanted to be buried together or at their respective places they were initially put. Great post and great insight!
ReplyDeleteGlad there is so much interest on this one! I think it is fair to say that Abelard and Heloise wanted to be buried together--maybe it is the romantic in me, but I think there is historical evidence. 1. Abelard works it out with Peter Venerable, who shares the news with Heloise 2. Heloise not only buries him in the cemetery but asked Peter the Venerable for a sign that clears him of all wrong doing to be placed on his burial site (love that she uses this letter as an opportunity to ask for a prebend ($$/job for cleric) for her son Astralabe) and 3. She is buried next to him. Sad, but also kind of lovely. No wonder myths developed about their grave later and that so many people went to visit the grave, as Mark Twain tells us.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very cool and beautiful tomb. I love your pictures that you provided. I have to wonder though, like Christina, if they wanted to be buried together? Do you know if there are any documents pertaining to that?
ReplyDelete