AN ATTEMPT TO UNDERSTAND THEM

 

 "THAT RABBLE!"

 "OH NO, MY DEAR, IT'S NOT THAT BAD!" 

In the background, the Church...

The Basilica of Saint-Denis, mausoleum of the kings, is surrounded by modern buildings, sign of the secular spirit that makes the traditionalist spirit so distant.  

The Carmelites' convent provides a step to making them out:

 

© Département de la Seine-Saint-Denis 

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The abbey of Saint-Denis, 1690

    Plan at the entry of the Saint-Denis musée d'Art et d'Histoire (undated)

The garden extends as far as the gates of Paris.

"For the just all life is a fete

Sainted and solemn" 

Paintings made toward 1770, exhibited at the convent, now a museum:

A Carmelites' procession and Carmelites in the garden

Carmelites at the infirmary tending the poor

Carmelites' activities in the grand chamber

An indelible formation...

Detail of the work above 

The convent was linked to monarchy as were all aspects of the Church, and because the youngest of Louis XV's daughters there became a nun.

# # #

How not reject 

the Revolution's belief in equality when

one's ancestor might have 

so expressed her faith?

     Musée d'art et d'histoire de Saint-Denis

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