Imagine a Marseille ravaged by plague. It is not a pretty thought. Yet, standing here before the Colonne du Dévouement ou colonne de la Peste, we are invited to remember exactly that. This column is not just a decoration. It is a memorial to a dark chapter in Marseille’s past. It stands to honor the courage and heroism displayed during the devastating plague of 1720.
The Colonne du Dévouement ou colonne de la Peste has a fascinating history. Barthélémy-François Chardigny, a sculptor, was commissioned to create a statue of Peace for the city hall in 1796. He became the quasi-official sculptor for the city. To honor the heroism of Marseille residents during the 1720 plague, Prefect Charles Delacroix decided to erect a monument.
On September 16 1802, Prefect Delacroix inaugurated a fountain. It was installed in Place Estrangin-Pastré. The Colonne du Dévouement ou colonne de la Peste was the monument’s centerpiece. The column itself was extracted from the crypts of the Saint-Victor abbey. Chardigny sculpted the Génie de l’Immortalité. It was placed on top.
The Génie de l’Immortalité represents immortality. Chardigny depicted a chubby child. The child raises the torch of life. The torch was almost extinguished but is now relit. With the other hand, the child crowns the names of heroes. These heroes devoted themselves during the 1720 plague epidemic. Their names are inscribed on the column’s pedestal.
The Colonne du Dévouement ou colonne de la Peste did not stay in its original location. In 1839, it was moved to Place Félix-Baret. Then in 1865, it was moved again. Now, it resides in the Jardin de la Bibliothèque. Here, it remains visible to all. However, the statue you see atop the column today is not the original. The original Génie de l’Immortalité is now housed in the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Marseille. A copy stands in its place atop the Colonne du Dévouement ou colonne de la Peste.
Think about the weight of history this Colonne du Dévouement ou colonne de la Peste carries. It reminds us of a time of immense suffering. But it also celebrates the resilience and selflessness of the people of Marseille. It serves as a reminder of the importance of community and courage in the face of adversity. The monument also marks the behavior of citizens. The monument prefigures war memorials that followed. The Colonne du Dévouement ou colonne de la Peste stands as a symbol of hope. It shows immortality can arise even from the darkest of times.