The Priest and The Devil (Art no.9) by sandra46

2D • Objects • posted on Jul 20, 2010

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Description

This is a good example of both popular art and humor, with a touch of peasant rebelliousness against mean-spirited, stingy petty local power. I remember a lot of saucy, dirty jokes at the expenses of priests and nuns, too domineering in my region until a decade ago, which my students told me during the lesson break-time. In some way,they were punishing their priests' arrogant and uncharitable behaviour. This is the so-called Devil of Bessans, at the Museum of the Savoy. Bessans is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhone-Alpes region in south-eastern France. Country of sculptors, Bessans is known for its popular religious art. Possibly the most famous subject is the devil, the emblem of Bessans, whose origin goes back only to 1857, however. This devil was created by Etienne Vincendet, who belonged to a family called, since the end of the 18th century, 'of the Saints' because of their talent in the carving of statues of saints. In 1857, the priest refused the cantors of Bessans their annual meals. To take his small revenge, Etienne Vincendet, cantor, carved a wooden statuette of a devil carrying a priest, and in the evening put it in front of the door of the presbytery. The priest suspected the author's identity, and brought the object back in front of Vincendet's house. This back-and-forth movement lasted one month, until the sculptor got tired first. A tourist saw the devil and bought it. Etienne Vincendet also carved hundreds of statuettes of Saints and the Holy ones, hence his nickname of Etienne of the Saints, but also more devils like this one in the museum. His son continued the tradition. Today, the devil of Bessans is reproduced on the postal flame of the village and ornates the fountain near the town hall. Thanks for your kind comments.

Comments (44)

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Thetis

11:51AM | Wed, 21 July 2010

a funny story, to think of them bringing the statue back and forth for weeks :) fantastic artwork, your image!

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jocko500

2:04PM | Wed, 21 July 2010

love the story and image. Yes the devil love to get the priest to do bad so he will temt them a lot.

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Chipka

6:22PM | Wed, 21 July 2010

What a shot! I love the way this image strikes me in the way a somewhat modernized Tarot card might! The colors are magnificent and I really like the bold lines and contrasts! What a commentary as well. I once heard a guy say to local "religious" people here in Chicago "Satan wants to extend his gratitude for all of the marvelous work you've done for him." Needless to say, that sparked quite a long and loud debate, and quite a lot of laughter from the less religious (or more honestly-faithful.) And I love the way this image brought that back. I was a wee lad in college back then, recovering from decades of "Christian" education. Oh, what times those were! This is a great shot.

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doarte

7:38PM | Wed, 21 July 2010

Fantastic! !!!!!ART!!!!!

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Minda

11:57PM | Wed, 21 July 2010

Great shot and nice info sandra..

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erlandpil

1:19AM | Thu, 22 July 2010

Excellent erland

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MagikUnicorn

3:08PM | Thu, 22 July 2010

SUPER COOOOL

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anmes

2:54AM | Fri, 23 July 2010

Serious stuff. Great capture and treatment. Wonderful

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Nickieboy2004

7:47PM | Sat, 24 July 2010

Excellent!

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myrrhluz

8:58PM | Sat, 24 July 2010

This is excellent! I guess you can't be surprised that "men and women of God" who are after all only men and women, would bring forth this reaction, especially when so much power often came with their positions. I've read a fair amount of The Decameron, and its less than reverent stories about priests and nuns! I love the statue, with the priest small and insignificant in the arms of the devil. Your capture of it, with the wild and warm colors is superb! I think the pair are already nearing their destination. Fascinating history! I'd love to be a fly on the wall of the nearest tavern to hear the gossip about it at the time. Excellent image and narrative!

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danapommet

10:12PM | Sat, 24 July 2010

Wonderful image and such informative information. Dana

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mermaid

8:08AM | Sat, 31 July 2010

a fascinating story for sure, Sandra, thanks!

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Radar_rad-dude

7:40PM | Sun, 01 August 2010

Amazing photo and descriptive! Quite interesting reading of the past arrogance of some of the religious of the world. I could relate many tales of their antics here in the US, but I'm sure most everyone has stories of their own. Bravo on this marvelous artwork! Well done!

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