Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Semi House, located in Tarbes in the Hautes-Pyrénées, was built in 1836. This building, initially a private residence, became the seat of a bank around 1860. In 1882 Léon Pierre Estévenet, banker, acquired it to set up his own financial institution. Today, this place is distinguished by its history linked to the local banking and artistic world.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Joseph Cardeillac, descendant of Léon Pierre Estévenet and talented cartoonist, made a series of wall paintings directly on plaster in the attic of the house. These works, of great iconographic richness, represent various scenes: sports (automobile races, fencing), worldly (sea baths, libertin scenes), as well as portraits of Tarbese personalities of the time. They offer a valuable sociological testimony about the local bourgeoisie.

One of the soup pieces stands out by female figures with japonizing influences, probably added around 1920. These paintings, together with their support and the roof sheltering them, were protected by a decree of 14 August 2008 as Historical Monuments. The house, now owned by the municipality, illustrates the mixture of architectural, banking and artistic heritage.

The exact address of the Maison de la Semi is 29 rue Georges-Clemenceau in Tarbes. Although its GPS location is considered mediocre (note of 5/10), it remains an emblematic place of the city, classified under the code Insee 65440. The paintings, by their style and subject, reflect the aspirations and lifestyle of the Tarbese elite at the turn of the 20th century.

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