Construction of house XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Period of initial building construction.
fin XVIIIe siècle
Reassembly of the chimney
Reassembly of the chimney fin XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1895)
Reuse of current decorative elements.
5 novembre 2002
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 5 novembre 2002 (≈ 2002)
Registration of the stack as MH.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The chimney on the ground floor (case AL 235): inscription by decree of 5 November 2002
Key figures
Gérard Richier - Sculptor
Suspected perpetrator of the chimney.
Origin and history
The house in Saint-Mihiel, dating from the 16th century, is best known for its monumental fireplace, attributed to the sculptor Gérard Richier. This architectural element, now protected under the Historic Monuments (inscription in 2002), would initially come from an old school in the city. The chimney consists of two high relief registers, combining religious symbols and evangelical references.
The lower register of the chimney presents a cartridge decorated with a Gospel verse, framed by allegories of Faith and Hope. The higher register illustrates a scene inspired by the Gospel according to St Mark: Jesus, seated and surrounded by six apostles, receives newborns presented by seven women, while four children play at his feet. Chimney leggings suggest a reuse of decorative elements of the original school, reassembled in their present form in the late eighteenth century.
The precise address of the house is 17 rue Porte-à-Metz in Saint-Mihiel (Meuse, Grand Est). Although the GPS location is approximate (accuracy note: 5/10), the building remains a major artistic and historical testimony of the Renaissance in Lorraine. Only the chimney on the ground floor (case AL 235) enjoys official protection, stressing its heritage importance in an urban context marked by the medieval and reborn heritage.
