Arc Héré

Arc Héré
View of the Arc Héré from the Place Stanislas
Map
General information
TypeTriumphal Arch
Architectural styleNeoclassicism
LocationPlace Stanislas
Coordinates48°41′40″N 6°10′58″E / 48.6944°N 6.1827°E / 48.6944; 6.1827
Construction started1752
Completed1755
Height15 m (49 ft)
Dimensions
Other dimensionsWidth: 60 m (197 ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Emmanuel Héré de Corny
Barthélemy Guibal

The Arc Héré or Porte Héré is a triumphal arch located in the city of Nancy, France, on the north side of the Place Stanislas.[1] It was designed by Emmanuel Héré de Corny to honor the French king Louis XV and was built between 1752 and 1755.[2] Its architecture is inspired by the Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome.[3] The Arc replaced an older royal gate constructed under the rule of Louis XIV; three bas reliefs from the old gate are featured on the Arc.

The Arc displays motifs of war and peace, with one side featuring arrowheads and armor and the other featuring wheat ears and cornucopias. The top of the Arc bears an inscription reading: "HOSTIUM TERROR / FOEDERUM CULTOR / GENTISQUE DECUS ET AMOR" ("terror of the enemies, maker of treaties, and the glory and love of his people"), referring to Louis XV. To the sides of the inscription are statues of the deities Ceres, Minerva, Hercules, and Mars.[4] Above the inscription is an acroterion comprising gilded statues of Minerva, Pax (the Roman goddess personifying peace), and Fama (the Roman goddess personifying glory), all surrounding a medallion of Louis XV.[5] Below the inscription are three marble bas reliefs taken from the old royal gateway that stood here before the construction of the Arc; they were retained for their depictions of Apollo, to whom Louis XV was often compared in imagery and art.

History

The original white marble medallion of Louis XV on top of the Arc was destroyed during the French Revolution. It was quickly replaced with a gilded lead medallion, which was taken down for preservation in 1830 during the July Revolution.[6] It was eventually replaced on the Arc in 1852.[5]

The Arc was designated a monument historique in 1923.[7] It forms part of the architectural ensemble comprising the Place Stanislas, the Place de la Carrière, and the Place d'Alliance, which in 1983 was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[8]

  • View of the Rue Héré leading up to the Arc Héré from the Place Stanislas.
    View of the Rue Héré leading up to the Arc Héré from the Place Stanislas.
  • View of the Arc Héré from the Place de la Carrière.
    View of the Arc Héré from the Place de la Carrière.
  • View of the Arc Héré at night from the Place Stanislas.
    View of the Arc Héré at night from the Place Stanislas.
  • Inscription and acroterion of the Arc Héré.
    Inscription and acroterion of the Arc Héré.

References

  1. ^ "La porte royale ou Porte Héré à Nancy en Lorraine". stanislas.pagesperso-orange.fr.
  2. ^ "Arc Héré, the triumphal arch of Nancy". French Moments. 4 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Arc Héré". Lorraine Tourisme (in French).
  4. ^ "Place Stanislas and the UNESCO world heritage site". Nancy Tourisme.
  5. ^ a b Lorraine, Société d'archéologie (1853). "Journal de la Société d'archéologie et du comité du Musée lorrain [afterw.] et du Musée historique lorrain" (in French).
  6. ^ France, Académie de Stanislas (Nancy (1829). "Mémoires" (in French).
  7. ^ "Ensemble formé par la place Stanislas, la rue Héré et la place de la Carrière". Base Mérimée POP (in French). Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  8. ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d'Alliance in Nancy". UNESCO World Heritage Centre.