We
tend to regard Champagne as the fruit of the land, but it is also
the result of Man's creative genius. In some ways, the same goes
for art: this means of expression, so unique to humans, the refined
language of an expressive soul. Some Champagne Houses, realising
that France is perceived throughout the whole world as a country,
where the creative spirit is very much alive, are working to strengthen
the symbiosis between art and Champagne.
The spirit of Roederer provides
some fleeting moments of happiness and perfection
The
House of Roederer cultivates its exceptional character. It sees itself
as a bearer and diffuser of cultural values such as the "humane
community" but also the living memory. As early as 1899, it distinguished
itself generously in French social and cultural life. Today, Roederer
continues to be committed to patronage, with a "rural"
heart rooted in ancestral values, a heart, which beats with passion. Antoine
de Saint-Exupéry revealed Jean-Claude Rouzaud's passion for French
culture, as well as his love of the sea and the air. The operation "Magenta"
with the heroine Sabine is another example.
"Everything goes. Only robust
art lasts to eternity. The bust outlives the city". This allegory
by Théophile Gautier makes light of the passing of time. This is
what happened to the statue of the Empress, Sabine, wife of the Emperor
Adrien, which was engulfed by the sea in 1875, when the boat transporting
it was wrecked near to Carthagena. In 1993, the limbs of this fragmented
statue were partly recovered. However, since then, no other recovery operation
had been launched to find the remains of a treasure with, admittedly,
only an artistic value. There was a risk that the bust of Sabine might,
therefore, forever lack her beautiful face.
The lost
face of Sabine
A beheaded Empress?... Certainly
not! In 1994, Jean-Claude Rouzaud decided to become involved in
this fabulous adventure and a year later Sabine's face was finally
found, saved from the waters. "For Sabine, we wanted to
do all that we could, recount and reconstitute history, this was
the aim that we gave ourselves". This operation of patronage
of art is in perfect harmony with his "pilot" spirit.
"To restore a historic statue and keep its cast somewhere,
that is the spirit of the House of Roederer. We are a rural House,
which above all, likes solid values".
Jean-Claude Rouzaud prolongs the
generous tradition of patronage of Louis Roederer
The baptism of Clovis
In September 1996, numerous events
were organised to celebrate the 15th
centenary of the baptism of Clovis at Reims. Jean-Claude Rouzaud was
disturbed by the idea that, once all the speeches and celebrations were
finished, there would be nothing material left in memory of this important
event, which had even instigated the exceptional visit of Pope Jean-Paul
II.
This explains why the House of Roederer
(a boulevard in Reims is named after it to remind us of its good works
in the years gone by) offered the town a sculpture to recall the event.
The patron and the artist presented it to the Holy Father, who showed
his great appreciation for this evocative masterpiece. The bronzes of
Clovis and Rémi naturally found their place near to the Basilica,
where they awoke the renewed interest of tourists for the founding event
of Christianity in Europe. This new contribution of artistic heritage
confirms the desire of the House of Roederer to mark its patronage with
the seal of durability.
