In the heart of Montparnasse Cemetery lies the cryptic tomb of Tatiana Rachewskaia, a young lady who met a tragic end in 1910, ensnared by the shadows of a broken heart. The intrigue surrounding her final resting place, adorned with the iconic sculpture “Le Baiser” by Constantin Brancusi, unraveled in a manner befitting a detective story.
The first snapshot, frozen in 2016, captures an era when one could freely approach, inspect, and even touch the sacred relic, Le Baiser. Yet, fast forward to 2019, and the scene has metamorphosed. The once accessible masterpiece is now encased in a protective box, shielded by vigilant video cameras. What precipitated this mysterious transformation?
Tatiana’s lover, deeply moved by her untimely demise, enlisted the talents of a relatively unknown artist of the time—Constantin Brancusi—to immortalize her memory in stone. The result was the inaugural rendition of “Le Baiser,” the first in a series that would later skyrocket in value. Little did anyone anticipate the saga that would unfold almost a century later.
As the art market elevated Brancusi’s works to astronomical prices, an astute Parisian art dealer unearthed a hidden treasure in the form of Tatiana’s tomb. Tracking down six unsuspecting heirs in Ukraine, he revealed their unwitting ownership of not only the tomb but also the sculpture adorning it. The stakes were immense—the estimated worth of the sculpture soared to a staggering 50 million dollars.
The heirs, without hesitation, opted to cash in on their unexpected inheritance. However, the corridors of justice became the stage for a protracted battle between the heirs and the French government. The latest twist in this legal saga declares Le Baiser inseparable from the tomb—a funerary monument indivisible in its essence. This shrewd maneuver allows the State to dub it a historic monument without the consent of the purported owners.
The enigma deepens with the emergence of the protective box. Some claim it to be the government’s shield, safeguarding the historic relic from harm. Others argue it was the heirs’ strategic move to shroud their newfound wealth from public view. One undeniable truth emerges—the tomb of Tatiana Rachewskaia has become the most debated and scrutinized sepulcher in the expanse of Montparnasse Cemetery. The mystery of Le Baiser continues to captivate the curious minds traversing the hallowed grounds, echoing with whispers of a tale etched in stone and clandestine fortune.
Celia SO Paris, November 2023
Celia SO Paris English and Cantonese private guide – Explore the city of Light with Celia SO 
Her family didn’t care about her dilapidated grave until Duhamel gave them the smell of money. Suddenly the monument of their beloved relative became vital to their lives. Opportunists all. Good for the French government- Tatiana at least has their respect.
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