Tomb Of Elizabeth And Alexis Soyer

The tomb of Elizabeth and Alexis Soyer is a pedestal tomb located in Kensal Green Cemetery, designed in 1844 by Alexis Soyer, who was a prominent chef and dietician of the mid-19th century. The tomb was carved by Pierre Puyenbroeck from Brussels. Elizabeth Soyer, a popular painter, tragically died in 1842 at the age of 29 after a miscarriage. Her husband, Alexis Soyer, is also buried here. The tomb is notable for its Portland stone and marble construction.

The base of the tomb was originally inscribed in large bronze letters reading "TO HER," and remnants of this inscription can still be observed. The middle section features a marble portrait relief of Madame Soyer, styled after Van Dyck, with an easel and brushes suspended below, which still show traces of the original paint. The rear of this section contains a recess that once held her easel behind glass, along with a wreath given by the opera singer Mlle Cerito.

At the top of the tomb is a standing female figure representing Faith, which was originally lit by a gas light, with the bronze gas nozzle still in place as evidence of this feature. Elizabeth's step-father, Francois Simoneau, known as the "Flemish Murillo," who died in 1859, is also associated with this site.