French ⁣Royal Heir Denounces Nantes ⁢Art ⁣Installation as Revolutionary

NANTES, France (May 3,‌ 2025) — A statue of Louis XVI ‌in​ Nantes is at the centre ⁤of controversy after a modern art‌ installation sparked outrage from a ⁣descendant of the former French monarch.

Royal ⁤Criticism of‍ Nantes Art Project

Prince Louis de Bourbon, ‌a claimant to the French throne, has ⁣condemned the artistic project as “falsely artistic but really revolutionary.” His criticism, delivered via a Facebook post, targets an installation​ planned as part of Nantes’ ⁣summer event, “The ‌Strange ⁣Summer.” The installation involves framing the statue ‌of ⁢Louis ‍XVI within⁣ a mirrored structure, creating⁢ a dissipating ‌effect.

The event’s ‌press ⁣materials state the exhibit “invites us ⁣to re-examine the⁤ presence of monarchical⁢ symbols in public space.” The ‍artist behind‌ the work, Colombian artist Iván Argote, is‌ described as⁤ someone who ‍”questioning certain dominant historical stories and⁢ tries to offer alternative versions,” often incorporating “humor and poetry.” ⁢The exhibit is ‌scheduled to⁢ run from June 28 to Aug. ‌31.

Prince ⁣Voices Strong Objections

yesterday was Saint Louis that we ⁣wanted to ⁢unclog, today Louis XVI, tomorrow will ‍be the tour of Henri IV?

Prince Louis de Bourbon, Duke of Anjou

Prince Louis, also known as the Duke of Anjou, did not find the initiative ‌amusing. “I will not let⁢ anyone ‍trample ‍the inheritance‌ of our kings without protesting,” ⁣he⁢ stated on Facebook.”They will not erase 1000 years of royal history with impunity.” He noted louis ​XVI, his‍ great-uncle, was known⁤ for his kindness and magnanimity. He⁤ also pointed out‍ only a few‍ statues honor Louis XVI in France.‍ He wants to ensure “they ⁣are respected and ⁣not that they⁣ are the⁤ object of‌ falsely artistic ⁤but⁣ really revolutionary lubies.” He specifically mentioned the statue in ‌Loroux-Bottereau, as⁢ well as thrones at the castle of‌ Caradeuc and the ‌old abbey‌ of Sorèze. The Nantes statue was inaugurated ​in 1823.

Slavery and Historical​ Memory

The prince, ⁤who⁢ previously supported ‍the “yellow‌ vests” movement in 2018, ⁣said he might visit Nantes‍ if his schedule‌ allows.⁤ He added, “It is⁢ indeed paradoxical that the memory of ​the monarch which has done the most for the abolition of slavery is thus flouted in the city most ⁣involved in the milking and which‍ opposed the most resistance‍ to its ‍abolition.”

More broadly, the‌ Duke of⁢ Anjou⁢ expressed concern over what he sees as a lack of respect for the past. “I⁢ do not know if a single period of our common history⁤ finds⁣ thanks to the eyes of contemporary⁣ censors,” he said. “All those who preceded us are almost automatically⁢ marked with the seal of ​infamy ⁤and collective ‌contempt. ‍We no ⁢longer know how to recognize the respect due to those who have⁤ transmitted a secular heritage of which ⁣we are only ⁤the smugglers.”

He concluded⁢ by questioning the​ trend of re-evaluating historical⁣ figures. “Does this mean that everything that belongs to history is necessarily good? No, obviously not. Not everything is worth. But‌ I am not sure that wanting to erase the memory⁤ of Louis‌ XVI, a ​paternal political figure and magnanimous for the French of​ his time, that is a very good⁢ signal. Yesterday it⁣ was Saint ⁤Louis that we wanted⁢ to unclog, today ⁢Louis XVI, tomorrow will be the tour of Henri IV?” ⁢He referenced ⁣a ​recent decision by the Dijon administrative court regarding a statue of Louis IX in Bourbon-Lancy.