In Calvados, these volunteers restore century-old statues: a heritage saved

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After a busy working life, Maryline Delange et Alain Jeanne continue to operate. As volunteers this time: after having created the float during the carnival of the Animations Saint-Martin association in Condé-en-Normandie (Calvados) in April, the Condéens duo was contacted this summer by André Diligence, in charge of one of the churches in the commune of Bocage Normand. “He loved our work. He said to himself that we could do something for the old nursery,” explains Maryline. Without hesitation, they accept the challenge which will prove to be significant.

Fallen arms, a gnawed neck

The thirteen plaster statues representing the Nativity scene are in a sad state: “The arms of the angels had fallen, the neck of the mage Balthazar seriously damaged, the drapes dotted with holes… There was a lot of work », underlines Alain. Fortunately, the pieces are not classified, “otherwise, we would not have been able to do anything. »

After cleaning and stripping them, Alain begins the repairs while Maryline takes back wooden panels showing several crouching angels. “I drew a lot of inspiration from my travels in the Mediterranean and famous paintings,” reveals the volunteer, pointing to one of the angels dressed in a long royal blue dress. “For this one, the portrait of Louis XIV in coronation costume helped me. »

Faces, a difficult task

Colors were a different story for the self-taught. “There had already been several attempts at restoration, but the work was poorly done. From the basic colors, we wanted to create new ones, softer, more modern. »

The task proved more difficult when it came to tackling the faces. “We were as careful as possible to bring these characters to life, playing on shadows, giving the impression that there is flesh. »

Bringing old objects back to life, Maryline learned to do it. The former director of a bank branch in Tinchebray (Orne) spends her retirement hunting through flea markets and garage sales in search of gems to revamp. An environment which is also not unknown to Alain, a former house painter.

A nursery more than a century old

When was the last restoration carried out? Hard to say. Where does this nativity scene come from, which has remained complete despite the passage of time and the bombings of the Liberation? Here too, the mystery remains.

Alone a clue found during repairs allows you to have an idea. Because restoration is not just a matter of tinkering. It’s a trip into the history of innocuous objects which can sometimes reserve their share of surprises.

Under the statues, Maryline and André observe the inscription Religious Statue Paris. Back home, Maryline does some research. “It’s the other name of the Raffl foundry, a trading company in religious statues and church furniture established in the capital in 1857 and which fell into disuse in the 1920s.”

It is this company which created, among others, the Virgin of the Rosary on the esplanade of the Notre-Dame de Lourdes sanctuary. A nativity scene which would be an order placed almost 150 years ago.

Not one, but two Jesus

Another surprising fact is that the scene has not one, but two Jesuses. “No way of knowing why. All we know is that they do not date from the same period,” share the two restaurateurs, placing the two toddlers next to each other.

“One is more rustic in features, his belly is not plump, the draping is more elaborate, and he does not have glass eyes. » Another element seems to confirm their analysis: “He has his arms wider apart. »

After some more finishing touches, the restored nativity scene will return to its place for the end-of-year celebrations at the entrance to the Saint-Martin church at the end of November.

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