Original Loizo illustration, NEW PAPER 270gr Lithographic type.
Signed by the artist and dry stamp of origin affixed.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde or more simply Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, often nicknamed "the Good Mother" (in Provençal Nouestro-Damo de la Gardo and la Boueno Maire), is a minor basilica of the Catholic Church dating from the 19th century. Emblem of Marseille, dedicated to Our Lady of the Guard (protector of Marseille with Saint Victor), it dominates the city and the Mediterranean Sea from the summit of the hill Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde (listed site since 19171).

Straddling the Roucas-Blanc and Vauban districts, on a 149 m high limestone peak raised 13 m thanks to the walls and foundations of an old fort. Built by the Protestant architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu in the Romano-Byzantine style and consecrated on June 5, 1864, it replaced a chapel of the same name built in 1214 and rebuilt in the 15th century. Built on the foundations of a 16th century fort built by François I in 1536 to withstand the siege of Charles V, the basilica has two parts: a lower church, or crypt, dug into the rock and in the Romanesque style, and above it a high church in the Romano-Byzantine style decorated with mosaics. At the top of a 41-metre-high square bell tower, itself topped with a sort of 12.5-metre tower which serves as its pedestal, stands a monumental 11.2-metre statue of the Virgin and Child made of gilded copper2.

The stone used for the construction, particularly the green stone from the surroundings of Florence, proved sensitive to atmospheric corrosion. It was necessary to undertake a long and meticulous restoration between 2001 and 2008, which also included the renovation of the mosaics, damaged at the Liberation by bullet impacts and blackened over time by the smoke from candles.

A true palladium of the city of Marseille, Notre-Dame de la Garde has been considered the guardian of sailors and fishermen since the Middle Ages.

Frame not included

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