The Angel
Some people find cemeteries depressing - after all, they are full of dead people but when their lives have been glorified with stone art they are forever beautiful. Even without the art, just reading a tombstone you can find yourself transported to a time long gone.
Take this angel in the Old Cemetery of Menton. The stone has weathered the hair, the wings, the clothes and the cross, yet the face remains pristine and perfect. The inscription tells us this angel guards the tomb of Monsieur Bosano and his wife who died on the 16th September 1907 at the age of 65. Who were they? And did they really die on the same day?
P.S. Since writing the above, Zephirine left a message explaining that the extra 'e' shows the reference to be feminine and is it is the wife who is buried here. Thankyou, Zephirine, I really should have noticed that.
This leaves the question - where is Monsieur Bosano buried? I believe I know the answer (amazing what you can discover on the Internet) and will take a photograph of his tomb another time. He was Lieutenant Henri Bosano and died in 1892 at the Battle of Poguessa (Dahomey) which is in Benin, West Africa. The French column was attacked October 4 by an army under the command of King Behanzin. After several charges which are countered with the bayonet, the Fons retreated. About 240 soldiers died in battle (200 Fons and 42 French). Lieutenant Bosano died on 8th October.
Join the proud community of graveyard tragics, Jilly. If I could find a world tour that covered graveyards and maudlin poets I would sign on the dotted line.
ReplyDeleteLovely statue ...
beau portrait de cet ange, il est magnifique
ReplyDeleteI actually like to walk through cemeteries. They are often, as you know, filled with lovely monuments, and the cemeteries bring home the realization that there's an end to everything, and that we should indeed live in the now.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful angel, and yes, what is the Bonanos story?
I love cemeteries; they are so peaceful and quiet which pleases me and allows me to reflect upon both life and death. Everyone needs a guardian angel so I think I'll adopt this one. Thank you, Jilly!
ReplyDeleteAs the inscription says "décédée" (with the extra -e being a feminine ending) then it was only his wife who died on that date. Which leaves the question of when did M Bosano die and why isn't that inscribed....
ReplyDeleteLovely angel!
Sign me up for that tour, too. Is it possible to learn more about the Bosanos?
ReplyDeleteZephirine, thankyou. I really should have noticed that. I'm going to amend the words on the post. Many thanks. I may know where the husband is buried!
ReplyDeleteI've added information about the husband.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting Jilly!
ReplyDeleteBarbara from Germany
Who could imagine that this angel stop flying in the Old cemetery of Menton looking at your first picture. He would have been found outside a church, on a monument....His face inspire sadness or peace, maybe both..
ReplyDeleteSo many foreigners are buried in the Old cemetery of Menton, and this mr Bosano "managed" to die so far from his city AND his wife !
I remember this angel, as well as a young lady sleeping her cheek on her 2 linked hands, the wind on her hairs....
What a fine image of the angel - and interesting story!
ReplyDelete