Abélard Fresco

As you stroll through Laon, you’ll notice that the town is full of little touches of street art depicting famous people. Here, you’ll meet Abélard, whom you probably don’t know – but then, he’s been dead for nine centuries, so don’t blame yourself. Abélard was a 12th-century philosopher, dialectician and theologian. He was the father of medieval philosophy and the inventor of conceptualism. He was also the husband of Héloïse, a medieval intellectual.  Few are the historical accounts of female writers, so let’s not forget Héloïse. She was the first to advocate free love and to openly discuss the specifics of female desire. In the 12th century, Héloïse and Abélard were the most talked-about celebrity couple who charmed the crowds, and who would have made the tabloids go wild if there had been any. So much for introductions and medieval gossip. The fresco before you is the work of street artist Christian Guémy, aka C215, who painted it in 2019.