Claudius Lavergne

Claudius Lavergne (10 December 1815 - 31 December 1887) was a French artist who primarily worked in stained glass. He was also an art critic and an inspector of historical monuments.

Biography

Lavergne was born in

Lavergne had his first exhibit at the Salon in 1838, with a painting of Jesus surrounded by children. In 1840 he returned to France, for health reasons, and became a member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic.^[1] Four years later, he married Julie Ozaneaux [fr], a daughter of the writer and academician, Georges Ozaneaux [fr] in the church of Saint-Louis-en-l'Île by Abbé Jean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire.^[2] They were friends of Gaspard Mermillod. She became a writer, of tales and short stories. They had nine children, two of whom died in infancy. Two others became religious sisters, and died young.^[2] Their son Georges-Claudius Lavergne (1847-1923) became famous as a master glassmaker.

Lavergne produced his first major work in 1853: a mural in the chapel of the

Lavergne worked with Eugène Viollet-le-Duc as an architectural inspector, which enabled him to deepen his knowledge of stained glass and begin a new artistic career, creating a glass painting workshop that would be passed to his sons Georges and Noël.^[4] Later, he became President of the Union of Master Glassmakers; a position he held until his death. During this time. he also worked as an art critic for L'Univers illustré.^{[citation needed]}

In addition to his original works, he restored windows at the Chapels in the

For the Chapel of St. Augustine in Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, Paris, Lavergne did a beautiful stained glass window depicting Louis XIII consecrating France to Mary.^[5] Behind the choir is a "Crucifixion", also by Lavergne.^[6]

Lavergne died at his home in Paris, shortly after his seventy-second birthday, and was interred at the Cemetery of Saint-Louis, Versailles.

• 
  St.Peter, at the Hôpital Lariboisière
• 
  Notre-Dame-des-Victoires
• 
  Notre-Dame-des-Victoires
• 
  Église Notre-Dame, Combourg

References