Ever wonder about the stories etched in stone around Paris? Here, before La Sainte-Catherine Statue, stands a tale of tradition. It whispers of working women and the pursuit of love.
La Sainte-Catherine is a sculpture by Julien Lorieux. It is located in the Square Montholon in Paris’s 9th arrondissement. The statue depicts five catherinettes. They wear tailor-made suits and ribboned hats. They are heading to the Sainte-Catherine ball.
Who were these catherinettes? The sculpture pays homage to the working women of the Montholon district. It evokes a tradition for single women over 25. These women celebrated Saint Catherine’s Day on November 25. They wore special hats for the occasion.
This “late” celibacy primarily affected modest backgrounds. The celebration became a corporate festivity for seamstresses and milliners. Festivities started in workplaces. These included novelty stores and dressmaking workshops. The celebration then spilled onto the streets. It ended at a ball. This was a last chance for the catherinettes to marry.
Look closely at the statue’s base. It reads “La Sainte Catherine. To the Parisian worker”. It’s a tribute to the district’s working women.
Julien Lorieux created the statue in 1908. The City of Paris acquired it in 1913. It wasn’t installed in Square Montholon until 1925. Lorieux died in 1915 before his work was installed. Adolphe Alphand had designed the square between 1862 and 1863.
The sculpture captures a moment in time. Five women stand arm in arm. They wear extravagant hats. Some carry orange blossoms. The sculptor captures them leaving work. They anticipate an evening ball.
November 25 is Sainte Catherine’s Day in France. Unmarried women aged 25 could wear a hat. They could look for a husband. The sculpture captures an important tradition. It gave young working women a break from harsh workshop conditions. They dressed in their best. They attended organized balls. These events offered a last chance to find a husband.
Saint Catherine was seen as the protector of girls. Saint Nicolas protected the boys. On November 25, girls created headdresses for Saint Catherine’s statue. Leaving the ceremony meant marriage. Taking part meant remaining single after 25.
Developments in society changed the tradition. The religious elements faded. The need to marry young diminished. Still, it’s pleasing to see a tradition commemorated.
So, remember La Sainte-Catherine Statue. It is not just stone. It embodies the spirit and hopes of Parisian working women.