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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The statue of Henri IV in Nerac is an order of Philippe Digeon de Monteton, MP for Lot-et-Garonne, who wishes to offer this monument to the city in 1816 to attract the favors of Louis XVIII. Directed by the sculptor Nicolas Raggi, student of Lorenzo Bartolini, the bronze work is presented at the Salon of 1819, where she obtains a gold medal. It arrived in Nerac in 1823 and was inaugurated on 3 May 1829 in front of the old castle, before being moved in 1872 to the Place du Général-Leclerc.

The monument, composed of a bronze statue, a marble base and granite degrees, bears inscriptions in Latin, French and Gascon. Henry IV is represented in armor, the right arm stretched out as a sign of mercy and the left hand on his sword, symbolizing his power. The Count of Monteton, who partially finances and designs the work, sees his initial project to develop a regular place abandoned due to lack of funds. The statue was finally listed as historical monuments on May 30, 1990.

Nicolas Raggi, author of this statue, also produced a marble version for the city of Pau in 1843, as well as a plaster version exhibited in the Chamber of Deputies. The movement of the monument in 1872, initially contested by the heirs of the Count in 1855, was carried out under the supervision of engineer Taillarda, during the administration of Armand Fallières. The statue, owned by the commune, remains a strong local symbol, linked to the history of Henry IV and his attachment to the region.

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