Base Mérimée: Monuments historiques · France
Statue de Castel
Vire, Calvados, France
The record
- Designation
- Historic monument, registered (inscrit)
- Protection
- inscrit MH
- Extent of protection
- La statue, à l'exclusion du socle (cad. non cadastré, domaine public) : inscription par arrêté du 18 août 2006
- Protection dates
- 2006/08/18 : inscrit MH
- Type
- monument
- Main period of construction
- 19e siècle
- Dates
- 1835, 1869
- Architect or builder
- De Bay Joseph (sculpteur), Legorgeu (entrepreneur), Quesnel (fondeur)
- Ownership
- propriété de la commune
- Address
- place Castel
- Commune
- Vire
- Département
- Calvados
- Region
- Normandie
- Country
- France
- Coordinates
- 48.83871, -0.89286
- Mérimée reference
- PA14000072
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesIGN France — GéoportailDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1767 map "95 Vire, Avranches." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Ministère de la Culture's notice
Historique
Pierre-Louis-Richard Castel naît à Vire en 1758. En 1790, il devient procureur général du district de Vire et, l'année suivante, membre de l'assemblée législative. Sous l'Empire, il devient professeur des Belles-Lettres puis inspecteur général. Au retour des Bourbons, il occupe la fonction d'inspecteur des écoles royales militaires. Ecrivain, il publie poèmes et études naturalistes. Après 1825, il devient le précepteur du comte de Chevigné qui, à sa mort, en 1832, commande un monument au sculpteur néo-classique Joseph De Bay, en souvenir de son mentor. L'uvre, fondue en 1835, est présentée au Salon de 1836 avant d'intégrer le château de Boursault. L'artiste présente le naturaliste à un âge avancé, drapé dans une redingote, assis, étudiant la nature. Le coude appuyé sur un tronc d'arbre tapissé de lierre, Castel tient un champignon, le crayon près à noter ses observations. En 1868, le comte de Chevigné offre la statue à la ville de Vire.
English translation
The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com
History
Pierre-Louis-Richard Castel was born in Vire in 1758. In 1790, he became procurator general of the district of Vire and, the following year, member of the Legislative Assembly. Under the Empire, he became professor of Belles-Lettres and then inspector general. On the return of the Bourbons, he held the position of inspector of royal military schools. A writer, he published poems and naturalist studies. After 1825, he became the tutor of the count of Chevigné who, on his death in 1832, commissioned a monument from the neo-classical sculptor Joseph De Bay, in memory of his mentor. The work, cast in 1835, was presented at the 1836 Salon before being integrated into Boursault castle. The artist presents the naturalist at an advanced age, draped in a frock coat, seated, studying nature. His elbow resting on a tree trunk covered with ivy, Castel holds a mushroom, with his pencil ready to note his observations. In 1868, the count of Chevigné offered the statue to the town of Vire.
Nearby in the register
- Église Notre-Dameégliseunder 1 mi
- Porte de l'Horlogeporte de villeunder 1 mi
- Tour Saint-Sauveurédifice fortifiéunder 1 mi
- Tour aux Rainesédifice fortifiéunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.