Yves Hernot - Hernot Senior

Hernot Senior

Yves Hernot senior (1829 - 1890) established himself in Lannion in 1844. The son of a stonemason, he was given the opportunity to study art, but preferred to work on traditional monumental masonry. However, he won the Grand Prix de Rome for Sculpture, and showed his works at the 1867 World Fair. His work was generally associated with the church. A devout Catholic and conservative Royalist, during his lifetime 517 Calvaries were created by his workshop. He also created several tombs, including that of the last bishop of Treguier, whose body was returned to Brittany half a century after he had died in exile after the Revolution.

Hernot also wrote many songs in the Breton language, which he printed and distributed. One contrasts a Catholic and an atheist, another warns against the presence of Protestants. Others express anti-republican views, such as Ar gaouiad Republik (The Deceptive Republic). These political songs were often signed "Ur c'hoz masouner" (An old mason).