Tableau Laghet 1902

Subject: Notre Dame de Laghet. Medium: pencil, watercolour and gouache on paper. Frame dimensions: 31 X 26 cm. Painting dimensions: 15.5 X 13 cm. Period: dated 1902. Condition: generally good condition, see photos. The sanctuary of Laghet is located in the current municipality of La Trinité, about ten kilometres north-east of Nice. While the site was originally quite isolated, it is now surrounded by housing and not far from the motorway. The sanctuary was built on a rocky promontory. The original convent buildings are clustered around the chapel, which is thus at the centre of a cloister-walkway topped by the living quarters of the religious community. On a rocky spur, in the valley of Laghet, there existed a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin since the 15th century. The chapel of the sanctuary was built between 1654 and 1656 at the initiative of Monseigneur Palletis, Bishop of Nice, who likely commissioned the architect Jean-André Guibert. Miracles multiplied and pilgrims flocked from Nice, Monaco, Provence, and the neighbouring Liguria (Ventimiglia, San Remo…). The sanctuary was built in 3 years. The church was inaugurated on 21 November 1656. On 19 April 1900, the statue of Notre-Dame de Laghet was solemnly crowned by Mgr. Lecot, Cardinal Archbishop of Bordeaux. In 1903, the Carmelite Fathers were expelled. The church was closed, and the monastery was sold at auction.