The statue of Our Lady of the Shipwrecked, situated on the Pointe du Raz headland in Brittany, is a monument dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives at sea. The sculpture is a major tourist attraction in the region and the destination of annual pilgrimages by the people of Brittany. However, few people remember that it was created by the Polish sculptor Cyprian Godebski. How did his work come to be situated at one of the westernmost points of mainland France?

A work by a Polish sculptor at the ‘French end of the world’
Set on a rocky plateau overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the sculptural group depicts the Mother of God with the Child, at whose feet a man kneels. The young sailor rests his left hand on the rock, whilst raising his right hand hopefully upwards, trying to reach Mary, who is leaning towards him with the Baby Jesus in her arms. Standing over 4 metres tall, the statue is carved entirely from white and grey marble. Set upon a granite plinth of similar height, it makes a monumental impression against the backdrop of the boundless ocean waves. The austere natural surroundings of this site, almost devoid of vegetation and buildings, emphasise the work’s significance. The sculpture itself, whilst still bearing the hallmarks of academic style, is already clearly moving towards a realistic depiction.

The idea for the sculptural group of the Madonna and Child first appeared in Godebski’s work in 1875. At that time, he exhibited a model of the sculpture, intended for Brittany, at an exhibition in Warsaw. The original inspiration behind the work is unknown, but his return to it years later was linked to a personal tragedy in the artist’s life. His son Ernest had perished on the seas of South-East Asia. Having survived the death of his own child, Godebski donated this sculpture – later known as the Madonna of the Shipwrecked – as a votive offering to the Virgin Mary.

Godebski’s gift to the Diocese of Quimper
A metal plaque on the monument’s plinth describes the sculpture as a gift from Godebski. This is indeed what ultimately happened, although it was originally commissioned by Count Alphée de Triobrand – a Breton landowner and friend of the sculptor. Intended as a private monument to local seamen, it was to be erected in the village of Plounéour-Trez, where Triobrand served as mayor. However, the socio-political situation in France at the time prevented the project from going ahead. The administrative authorities, fearing religious displays on the eve of the separation of church and state, blocked the construction of the monument.

The idea was taken up by the bishop of the nearby diocese of Quimper – F.V. Dubillard – who managed to find a new location for the Madonna of the Shipwrecked and obtain permission from the local authorities for its installation. Ultimately, the religious aspects of the sculpture were downplayed, emphasising its role as a memorial honouring the victims of maritime disasters. The plot of land on the rocky headland of Pointe du Raz was donated by one of the parishioners (Yves Kersaudy), whilst the sculpture itself was a personal gift from Godebski to the bishopric and remains to this day the property of the church authorities, rather than the local council. The artist did not charge for the work. He received only reimbursement for the cost of transporting the 11-tonne block, quarried in the quarries of Carrara. The sculpture was erected on 19 June 1904.

The Procession of Our Lady of Shipwrecked Souls and the restoration of the sculpture
The ceremonial unveiling of the monument, scheduled for 3 July 1904, drew crowds of pilgrims from all over Brittany. Coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the event developed into a regional religious festival. Since then, the procession of Our Lady of Shipwrecked Souls has been celebrated every year on the last Sunday in July. A song sung during the procession in the Breton dialect also mentions Godebski’s sculpture.

The centenary of the unveiling of Our Lady of the Shipwrecked in 2004 was celebrated with particular solemnity. Crowds of the faithful, together with representatives of the local secular and ecclesiastical authorities, gathered once again at Pointe du Raz. Shortly afterwards, the sculpture underwent a thorough restoration. After a hundred years of exposure to the damaging effects of wind and storms, its condition had deteriorated significantly. A comprehensive restoration of the statue and its surroundings was carried out in 2005 by local specialists.

Cyprian Godebski’s connections with Brittany
Although Cyprian Godebski’s ties to Brittany were mainly social in nature, he also left behind several interesting works there. Unfortunately, these are not as well recognised as the sculptor’s works in Paris. Apart from the Madonna of the Shipwrecked, the bronze monument to General Adolphe Le Flô, situated in the main square of Lesneven, is also worthy of note. Godebski knew the general personally from St Petersburg, where the latter served as French ambassador between 1871 and 1879. Furthermore, the museum in Brest displays a medallion sculpted by Godebski in 1899, bearing the likeness of Léocadie Salaun-Penquer, a poet of great significance to the local culture. This work forms part of the collection of the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which was founded by the woman portrayed.