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Origin and history

The monument to the dead of Céret is a major work by sculptor Aristide Maillol (1861–1944), from the Pyrénées-Orientales. Commanded in May 1919 and inaugurated in 1922, it consists of a base engraved with the names of the Ceretan soldiers who died during the First World War, topped by a grey-light sandstone statue entitled Pain. The latter represents a sitting woman, the right elbow on the knee and the head leaning on the hand, symbolizing the grief and suffering associated with the conflict. Several preparatory sketches are kept at the Museum of Modern Art in Ceret.

This monument is part of a series of four similar works by Maillol in his native department, offered free of charge to the municipalities of Céret (1922), Banyuls-sur-Mer (1933), Elne (1921) and Port-Vendres (1923). Ranked as historical monuments since 17 March 1994, it belongs to the commune. A bronze copy of La Pain, installed in 1964 in the Carrousel gardens in Paris (1st arrondissement), bears witness to the national recognition of this work.

The choice of light grey sandstone and the melancholic posture of the female figure reflect the profound impact of the First World War on Maillol, which marked a turning point in his work. The monument has been degraded over time, but remains a strong symbol of local collective memory. Its location on Place de la Liberté, in the heart of Ceret, reinforces its role as a place of historical recollection and transmission.

The available sources, including the records of the Mérimée base (Ministry of Culture) and the archives of the University of Lille, underline its heritage importance. The monument is listed among the protected works of the Pyrénées-Orientales and illustrates Maillol's artistic commitment to peace, a central theme of his last years.

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