Yann Larhantec-Cedar Herald Index

Yann Larc'hantec or Yann Larhantec was a Breton sculptor born in Plougonven on 30 May 1829. He died in Landerneau on 11 January 1913.

Biography

Yann Larc'hantec or Yann Larhantec was born on 30 May 1829 in Plougonven and died on 11 January 1913 in Landerneau. He was the son of farmers Jean-Marie and Françoise Guillou. He spent most of his life in Morlaix and most of his work involved crosses and calvaries and he was entrusted with the repair and restoration of many of the great Breton calvaries of the 15th and 16th centuries. His main works are listed below.

Yann Larhantec

Main works

Note "Enclos paroissial" In the text below there are several references to an "enclos paroissial" and this French term can be translated as parish close. These are not uncommon in Finistère and were built in the 16th and 17th centuries. The enclosure comprises an elaborately decorated parish church surrounded by an entirely walled churchyard with gateway, often an arched gateway. In England cathedral closes for example, include many residential and administrative buildings, as well as the church, but Breton Parish closes contained only buildings and structures designed for worship: the church itself, a calvary, and sometimes an ossuary or charnel house with chapel and a cemetery. The calvaries of such church enclosures are significant works of popular art and more often than not they display Christ and the two thieves whilst at the base many feature relief panels, free-standing sculptural groups or both. These groups depict onlookers of the crucifixion and nearly always include the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist, but also many other heroes and villains – sometimes including local or national magnates. The ossuaries in such enclosures are often of large proportions and some were intended to contain large sculptures or paintings, frequently of the Deposition or Entombment of Christ. In most cases the bones have been moved from the ossuary to the cemetery although a few still hold skeletal remains.

Yann Larhantec

Calvary at Saint-Thégonnec

Apart from the Grand Calvaire at Saint-Thégonnec (see Saint-Thégonnec Parish close) there is a second calvary constructed in 1864 with statues by Yann Larhantec of the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist. This calvary is set into the enclosure wall and accessed by a double stairway.

Yann Larhantec

Église paroissiale Notre-Dame

Larhantec executed sculptures for this Quimperlé church.

Pleyben's "Croix de cimetière" This cross by Larhantec dates to 1869. The pedestal has reliefs depicting instruments of the passion. The cross carries inscriptions remembering particular "missions" or pilgrimages; that of 1869, 1906 and 1924. The cross is located in the cemetery.

The Calvary at Clohars-Carnoët

Clohars-Carnoët has many sculptures dating back to the 16th and 17th century but Larhantec was responsible for the two "croix de mission" dating to 1879 and 1901.

The "Croix de Mission" of Kerlouan

This cross is situated near the Saint Anne chapel in Kerlouan's Square d'Orschwir. It was sculpted in Kersanton granite and on the four faces of the pedestal Larhantec has carved depictions of the passion. Plaques mention the missions of 1911 and 1925.

Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de la Feuillée

Larhantec executed statues in white marble for the altar of this Plougonven church in 1866.

The Calvary of Plougourvest

Located in Plougourvest's cemetery this Larhantec Calvary dates to 1870.

"La croix de Brézal" In 1895/1896 Albert Le Roux, the owner of Brézal, commissioned Larhantec to execute this cross at Plounéventer

Esquibien

Yan Larhantec completed this Calvary in 1868. It is 7 metres high.

The Calvary at Saint-Vougay

Larhantec executed this Calvary in 1866. It is known as "La croix de Traon-Meur" and is 7 metres in height. A plaque makes reference to the mission of 1866. The calvary is located in the cemetery.

The Calvary at Locquirec

A Larhantec Calvary of 5.50 metres dating to 1891 stands outside the Saint Jacque church in Locquirec. The figures placed under the Cross represent John the Evangelist back to back with Saint Roch and the Virgin Mary back to back with Saint Peter. Also included are two horned grimacing devils.