Graftombe van Philippe de Montmorency in de Saint-Mauricekerk te Oiron c. 1875 - 1900

This photograph of Philippe de Montmorency's tomb in the Saint-Maurice Church at Oiron was made by Médéric Mieusement sometime before his death in 1905. Philippe de Montmorency was executed in 1568 for treason against the Spanish crown. Looking at the tomb, we see a classical style of monument, replete with classical arches and figures. It is an elaborate structure, fitting the tomb of a nobleman. What is most interesting about the tomb, however, is that Montmorency was seen as a martyr by the Dutch, Flemish and French. As such, this tomb becomes a political statement. To interpret this work fully, we would need to look at the history of the region, particularly its religious history and its relationship to the Spanish crown. As art historians, we can use our historical research to understand how objects such as this tomb become political statements.