Avenue François Chardigny a straight line in Marseille’s 11th arrondissement. It stretches from the Valentine commercial area to the roundabout where it meets Avenue de Saint-Menet. Have you ever wondered why this seemingly ordinary avenue bears such a distinguished name?
The Avenue François Chardigny is named after Barthélémy-François Chardigny a renowned French sculptor. He was quite the character. Chardigny won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1782. This was a huge accomplishment for any artist. He even spent time in Rome. Unfortunately his Roman sojourn ended abruptly. He was expelled from the French Academy in Rome. His expulsion resulted from a scandalous attempt to elope with the director’s daughter.
Following his Roman escapade Chardigny found himself in Provence. He first worked in Toulon creating sculptures for the Saint-Louis church. A disagreement with the city led to the cancellation of his commission. He then moved to Aix-en-Provence in 1788. There he worked on the new Palais de Justice designed by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. The project was halted by the French Revolution. Some of his sculptures survived but others were destroyed. It’s a fascinating example of how political upheaval can impact art.
In 1795 Chardigny relocated to Marseille. He became a favored sculptor under Prefect Charles Delacroix. This patronage led to many commissions. One noteworthy piece was the Genius of Immortality. This statue tops the Plague Column in the library garden. It commemorates Marseilles’ heroism during the 1720 plague. This column was originally found in the Saint-Victor Abbey crypts. It’s quite a tale of survival and artistic commemoration. Chardigny also crafted bas-reliefs for the Fontaine du Commerce. These were later displayed at the Marseille Museum of Fine Arts.
Chardigny’s life was full of twists and turns. From scandalous affairs to revolutionary fervor he left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of southern France. His legacy lives on not only in his sculptures. It also lives on in the name of this avenue. As you walk down Avenue François Chardigny imagine the stories of the man who lends it his name. His story is as captivating as the city of Marseille itself.