THE FORTIFIED CHURCH

La Thiérache is proud of the Jeantes church decorated by Charles Eyck (1897-1968). Halfway between Hirson and Montcornet, the village of Jeantes restored its church in 1960, before entrusting its decoration to this Dutch painter. Why? Why? Quite simply because he was friends with the priest of Jeantes who asked him to beautify the building. The contrast between the simplicity of the places and the complexity of the works is breathtaking! Each wall is a universe in itself. The painter combines biblical scenes with the reality, legends and true story of a local heroine like Monique Carlin, founder of a religious congregation. The tables show sensitivity at the surface of the skin. If we find the influence of skinned artists (Chagall, Rouault, Soutine, Modigliani) his leg is personal. Overstretched by suffering and nightmares, the pale faces remind us of Spanish mystics. But next door, joyful multicoloured scenes explode with life and humour. The stained glass windows, also Dutch, very stylized, reinforce the warm and collected atmosphere that reigns in the church.