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Origin and history

The monument to the dead of Valencia, located in Place Jean-Baptiste Chaumeil, is a work by sculptor Paul Ducuing, made in the 2nd quarter of the 20th century. It consists of two distinct parts: a hairy in a realistic outfit, with meticulous details (uniform, godillot, fleece strips), and an allegorical female figure, blending classic features (voile, cuirasse, cothurns) and a modern reference to the Adrian helmet of the First World War. This allegory embodies both France, the goddess Athena, and the country in mourning, holding laurel crowns in homage to the deceased.

As early as 1916, Valencia City Hall launched a public subscription-funded memorial project. In 1919, among the proposals of artists such as André Abbal or Léon-Marius Cladel, Paul Ducuing's project, estimated at 40,000 francs, was selected. Despite a final budget of 28,000 francs collected, the monument, the first of the department, is inaugurated in the presence of political figures such as Albert Sarraut, Minister of Colonies, and Auguste Then, Member of Parliament for Tarn-et-Garonne. His style, combining naturalism and historical references, is characteristic of Ducuing's work.

The monument, which has been completely protected since 2018, also includes the bronze town's weapons, surrounded by palms and oak leaves, engraved on the pedestal. Its central location and symbolism pay tribute to the soldiers of the Great War, reflecting both the realism of the fighting and an idealized vision of the homeland. The precision of the details, such as the nails of the godillots or the crowns, underscores the sculptor's concern for an intimate and solemn homage.

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