Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The monument to the dead of Voiron presents itself as a monumental stele slightly curved, decorated with a figure of the Victory holding two crowns, framed by two soldiers representing the conflicts of 1870 and 1914-1918. The uniforms (capote, Adrian helmet) and the weapons (fusil Chassepot) clearly identify the periods. Two caryatids, symbolizing mourning and pain, complete the ensemble, inspired by Greek and Egyptian styles. This monument, designed by the sculptor Gaston Dintrat, is distinguished by its frontal appearance and architectural severity.

The origin of the project dates back to 1888, when the municipal council voted for funding for a monument dedicated to National Defence, in memory of the soldiers of 1870-1871. The project, which was regularly discussed until 1912, only came about after the First World War. In 1919, a subscription was launched, and in 1920, a committee was formed. The choice of sculptor Gaston Dintrat was validated by the Prefecture of Isère in September 1923. The monument was inaugurated on 12 October 1924 in the former Becquart Villa Park, left to the city in 1920.

The monument deliberately incorporates a reference to the two wars (1870 and 1914-1918), as originally witnessed by the inscription "Wars 1870 1914-1918", now covered by a nominative plaque. The equivalent representation of the 1870 motive and the 1914-1918 hairy highlight this dual commemoration. The work, classified as a Historical Monument in 2019, illustrates the influence of Greek and Egyptian styles, notably in the geometric treatment of the folds of clothing and wings of the Victory.

The chosen site, the "City Garden", corresponds to the old park of Marie-Thérèse Castelbon, widow Becquart, who donated it to the commune. This wooded setting highlights the monumentality and symmetry of the work. The project is part of a municipal desire to perpetuate the memory of conflicts, while marking urban space with an original artistic work.

Although the source text also mentions the history of a neighbouring abbey founded in 1317, it has no direct connection with the monument to the dead. Information on the abbey (prieuré d'ermites de Saint-Augustin, revolutionary transformations, reuse of buildings) is a separate heritage and does not concern the commemorative work of Dintrat.

External links