Roland learnt drawing at a school in Lille, then joined Augustin Pajou, with whom he decorated Versailles. In 1771 he spent five years in Italy, paid for out of his own pocket, without a grant of any kind. Grand Prix de Rome on his return, professor at the Beaux-Arts, he left a great many public works. Two marbles accompany him, a singing Homer and a medallion of his face, neither signed nor dated.
The story
At Pont-à-Marcq, near Lille, Philippe-Laurent Roland began his training at the Lille drawing school, then entered the studio of Augustin Pajou, with whom he worked on the decoration of the palace of Versailles — one of the great commissions of the age.
In 1771 he left for five years in Italy — at his own expense, with no scholarship and no Prix de Rome. Back in Paris he was received into the Académie Royale in 1781, then made professor at the École des Beaux-Arts, succeeding Louis-Simon Boizot, and taught until his death in 1816.
His grave in Division 44, on the chemin du Quinconce, carries two marbles, neither signed nor dated: a relief of Homer singing his poems, attributed to Caillouette, and a medallion of Roland himself, attributed to David d'Angers. The inscriptions do not name him: they list his stepson Lucas de Montigny, then the Marcel, Benoist and Fechner families, down to 2010. On the sides, an inverted torch and an amphora are carved.
The grave
A sculptor's tomb adorned by two sculptors. The first marble is a bas-relief showing Homer singing his poems, attributed to Caillouette; the second, a medallion portraying Roland himself, attributed to David d'Angers. Neither is signed or dated. No inscription on the grave is recorded by the association's notice: the two marbles serve as epitaph.
On site, do not miss
Two marbles, neither signed nor dated: a bas-relief of Homer singing his poems, attributed to Caillouette, and a medallion of the sculptor by David d'Angers. No inscription around them.
Visitors' questions
Where is Philippe-Laurent Roland's grave?
In Division 44, chemin du Quinconce, first row. Two marbles adorn it: a bas-relief of Homer by Caillouette and a medallion of the sculptor by David d'Angers — neither signed nor dated, and standing in place of an epitaph.
Caroline RivièreWho sculpted his medallion?
David d'Angers, the greatest medallist of the century — a sculptor's grave adorned by another sculptor. The bas-relief of Homer singing his poems that stands with it is attributed to Caillouette. Neither marble carries a signature.
David d’AngersWho trained him?
The drawing school of Lille, then the studio of Augustin Pajou, with whom he worked on the decoration of the palace of Versailles. He completed his training with five years in Italy, at his own expense, from 1771.
Charles DupatyDid he teach?
He did: professor at the École des beaux-arts, he was also a Grand Prix de Rome and the author of many public works.
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