Discovering the Ste-Cécile church of Acquigny
This church, built around 1550, underwent major modifications in the 18th century under the initiative of Pierre-Robert Le Roux d'Esneval, President of the Normandy Parliament, better known as the « President of Acquigny ». Significant alterations (bell tower, façade, axial and lateral chapels) and all the interior decoration (woodwork, gilding, paintings) were carried out between 1746 — the year he became baron of the estate — and 1788, the year of his death.
He called upon renowned artists for the renovation:
- Charles Thibault (1732–1802) architect to the President, who worked in almost every church in Rouen.
- E. Fouquet. In 1788 he created the two medallions adorning the church façade, representing Saint Mauxe and Saint Vénérand, as well as the lintel motif, The Death of Saint Cécile. He is also attributed with the two statues of Saint Cécile and Saint Catherine of Alexandria flanking the high altar, along with the glory above it.
- Nicolas-Louis Lamine. He was the creator of the decoration of the Rosary chapel and the glazed gallery of the Holy Spirit chapel — « an 18th-century jewel that draws the admiration of all connoisseurs. »
- Jean-Baptiste Huet the Elder. He was a celebrated animal painter, and the Acquigny Rosary, painted in 1782, appears to be one of his very few religious subjects.
The result is a remarkable stylistic unity. A leading centre for the renewal of Norman art at the time, the church is characterised by its baroque decoration. It includes a mortuary chapel representing the fullest expression of grisaille camaieu art.
The Holy Spirit chapel, built behind the high altar, is the church's finest jewel. On the right of the photograph one can see the seigneurial gallery, a work by the sculptor Lamine. On the left, a painting of exceptional quality depicts a Pentecost scene — a very faithful reproduction of a work attributed to the celebrated painter Charles Le Brun. Above, the painted ceiling is decorated in the form of a divine glory, with rays of light, tongues of fire and numerous angel heads symbolising the Celestial City.
The church of Acquigny has a funerary chapel belonging to the Le Roux family, dedicated to Saint Robert of Molesme — founder of Cîteaux, the cradle of the Cistercian order — and consecrated in 1779. The ceiling and walls are adorned with magnificent grisaille paintings of incredible delicacy, depicting scenes from the Apocalypse. This chapel, whose ceiling is virtually intact, stands as an artistic exception with no known equivalent.
Four main scenes can be seen:
- The Last Judgement,
- The Communion of Saints,
- Hell,
- The Resurrection
Click here to enlarge
The reliquary shrine contains the skulls of holy martyrs, St MAUXE and St VENERAND. For conservation purposes, this sumptuous shrine is not currently kept in the church. It will be placed on display in the mortuary chapel once restoration work there is complete. In the shape of a small chapel, measuring 59 cm high, 69 cm long and 33 cm wide, this polychrome wooden piece is a rare artefact, most likely dating back to the 15th century.
It depicts the saints' story across six panels:
- Torture by hanging upside down in Italy
- Being cast into a furnace
- The journey to France
- The refused worship of an idol
- The escape from Italy
- Beheading at Acquigny
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