Pierre Bossan

Pierre Bossan ( born July 23, 1814 Lyon; † July 23, 1888 in La Ciotat ) was a French architect of historicism. He designed, inter alia, several monumental churches that gave the Catholic Renewal Movement in France expression.

Life

Bossan came from a humble background. As the oldest of seven children, he was given the opportunity to study and decided on the architecture. After baseline at the art school in Lyon, he entered the studio in Paris by Henri Labrouste. At 25, he returned to Lyon. He was appointed architect of the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Lyon and was awarded the contract for the construction of the church Saint -Georges. It was completed in 1845 in pure Gothic style. Bossan they later called a " youthful indiscretion " but for neo-gothic architecture, it is regarded as a successful example. In the same years he designed, inter alia, the Church in Tassin, the Jesuit Chapel in Lyon, Rue Sala, and the Chair of the cathedral.

In 1845 he undertook a study trip to Italy. On the way to Sicily, he discovered Byzantine art and architecture and was fascinated. Then shook him of the death of his brother, who had accompanied him. On the way back he stopped in Ars encounter with Jean -Marie Vianney completed his conversion from freethinking decided to Catholicism.

1847 ended his position as architect of the Cathedral, but the works piled up. Now he found his personal, strong neo-Byzantine style. Even then he began to design a " big church " for the Fourvière hill in Lyon. During a stay in Rome in 1850, the plan took shape. In 1852, he built many churches, chapels and houses. He also designed sculptures, furniture and jewelry.

1862 began the expansion of Ars place of pilgrimage. Bossan created the plans for the pilgrimage basilica, also in 1864 for Saint -Jean -François Régis in Lalouvesc. He was still in the midst of this work, as in 1871 in Lyon, the decision to build the Votive Church Notre- Dame de Fourvière fell. Bossan presented his twenty years old draft, which was adopted, so that in 1872 the foundation stone was laid. Soon after Bossan made ​​age and disease to create and he retired to La Ciotat on the Côte d' Azur back. From there, he maintained contact with his longtime collaborator Louis Sainte- Marie Perrin, the construction management was transferred. He also continued creating designs, especially for the interior of his main work, the Fourvière Basilica. A circle of architects and artists gathered around him.

Bossan died age of 74 in La Ciotat. He was buried in the old cemetery Cimetière de Loyasse west of the Fourvière hill in Lyon. His heart rests in the Basilica.

Works (selection)