Statue de Lebrun ou monument à Charles-François Lebrun
MonumentHidden Treasure
Statue de Lebrun ou monument à Charles-François Lebrun, located in Coutances (Manche), is a medieval landmark built in the Middle Ages. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Medieval (11th-15th century)
- Location
- Coutances, Manche, Normandie
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 49.0495, -1.4423
- Mérimée Reference
- PA50000051
Erected in 1845 by the sculptor Antoine Etex, this bronze statue of Charles-François Lebrun, third consul of the Republic alongside Bonaparte, sits nobly in the heart of Coutances.
History
In the heart of Coutances, a Norman town proud of its illustrious children, the statue of Charles-François Lebrun stands out as a tribute in stone and bronze to one of the little-known craftsmen of consular and imperial France. Commissioned by Prince Lebrun's family in 1845 and donated to the town, this monumental work by sculptor Antoine Etex stands in silent dialogue with the neighbouring Gothic cathedral, creating a public space steeped in history and prestige. What makes this monument truly unique is the iconographic approach chosen by Etex: unlike the martial or triumphal representations so common in 19th-century statuary, Lebrun is depicted seated, in a posture of contemplation and meditation. This bold choice celebrates not the conqueror or the general, but the statesman, the jurist, the thinker - the man who governs by wisdom rather than by the sword. The mantle of Archtreasurer of the Empire, draped carefully over his shoulders, is a reminder of the high imperial dignity he attained under Napoleon I. The pedestal, designed by the architect Doisnard and financed by the town of Coutances, lends a classical, measured elegance to the whole, in perfect harmony with the urban fabric of this Norman episcopal town. The sober lines of the base highlight the sculpture without overwhelming it, giving the figure its full presence. For visitors to stop in front of this statue is to recall a pivotal period in French history: that of the Consulate, the Hundred Days and the Restoration, a period of upheaval when men like Lebrun tried to reconcile revolutionary ideals with the demands of order. A discreet but deeply evocative monument, listed as a Historic Monument in 2006, it deserves much more than a casual glance.
Architecture
Lebrun's statue belongs to the Romantic commemorative statuary movement of the 19th century, characterised by a search for psychological expressiveness and particular attention to the rendering of fabrics and symbolic attributes. Antoine Etex chose to depict the figure in a seated position, a rare and deliberate decision that broke with the tradition of equestrian or standing statues dominating their pedestals. This posture lends a particular humanity and gravity to the whole, evoking meditation and wisdom rather than power. The Empire archtreasurer's coat, whose folds are treated with great naturalistic care, is the central item of clothing in the composition. Its volutes and play of shadows allow Etex to display all his sculpting talent, creating a visually rich surface that contrasts with the serenity of the face. Bronze, a noble and enduring material, was probably the material chosen for the figure itself, in keeping with the practice at the time for this type of public commission. The pedestal designed by the architect Doisnard adopts a sober, classical style, with mouldings and straight lines characteristic of the neoclassical style in vogue under the July Monarchy. Its height and proportions were calculated to highlight the figure without isolating it from passers-by, maintaining a human-scale dialogue with the surrounding public space. Dedication inscriptions probably adorn the sides of the plinth, recalling the identity of the figure and the circumstances in which the monument was erected.
Related Figures
Charles-François Lebrun (1739-1824) — troisième consul, architrésorier de l'Empire, sujet du monumentAntoine Etex (1808-1888) — sculpteur romantique, auteur de la statue, connu pour l'Arc de Triomphe de ParisDoisnard — architecte, concepteur du piédestalNapoléon Bonaparte — premier consul, qui nomma Lebrun aux côtés de lui lors du ConsulatJean-Jacques-Régis de Cambacérès — second consul, collègue de Lebrun au sein du triumvirat consulaireLouis XVIII — roi de France qui conserva à Lebrun ses titres après la Restauration
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Statue de Lebrun ou monument à Charles-François Lebrun located?
Statue de Lebrun ou monument à Charles-François Lebrun is located in Coutances, Manche department, Normandie region, France.
When was Statue de Lebrun ou monument à Charles-François Lebrun built?
Statue de Lebrun ou monument à Charles-François Lebrun dates back to a period built in the Middle Ages (11th-15th century).
Is Statue de Lebrun ou monument à Charles-François Lebrun open to visitors?
Statue de Lebrun ou monument à Charles-François Lebrun is currently closed to visitors.
