Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
other title: first scene of the french revolution in paris. (inscribed title (letter))
date of production: between 1789 and 1790
type(s) of object(s): drawing, graphic arts
name(s): drawing
dimensions - artwork:
height: 36cm
width: 53. 5cm
description:
set of 83 known revolutionary gouaches, including 73 preserved at the carnavalet museum. Marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
stamp - front: "carnavalet"
inscription - on the front of the old montage, top right, handwritten label in ink: "1ere. Feuille" \ inscription in ink
legend - on the front of the old montage, under gouache, label with handwritten legend in ink: "first scene of the french revolution in paris. / july 12, 1789. We learned in paris that the king was sending back mr. Nèckre [sic]: the factieux who were only waiting for an opportunity to burst out and seize [sic] that one, and made their agents act, who / followed by a crowd of people that they had assembled, traveled through the various districts of the city, stirring up the citizens to revolt; one of them mounted on a pillar and harangued the people making the most seditious speeches; they carried the busts of the duke of orléans and mr. Nèckre [sic];
iconographic description:
historical scene: necker jacques (1732-1804), financier and minister of louis xvi; louis philippe d'orléans (1747-1793), duke of orléans, bust, crowd, woman, child, bourgeois, parade; french revolution. Historical commentary:
on july 12, 1789, parisians peacefully demonstrated their attachment to necker and the duke of orléans, opponents of absolutism, by parading their busts through the streets. All of lesueur's gouaches preserved at the carnavalet museum constitute a unique testimony to the revolutionary period. A sort of diary in images, the technique in which it is produced, as well as its scale, suggest a public, theatrical or "museographic" function. These small paintings and - a little differently - the texts which accompany them, reflect the varied feelings, sometimes enthusiastic, sometimes reproachful, of the parisian petty bourgeoisie facing the revolutionary event and daily life. Historical scenes, more innocuous skits, or isolated characters like military figurines are captured with liveliness, accuracy of observation, sense of color and layout which give them great flavor. The undeniable documentary interest of the series is particularly clear with regard to sans-culottes, the army, women, costume; but also mentalities and their evolution in the political situation of the years 1789-1806, and this with all the more force as the gouaches were painted immediately after the event or the fact that they represent. Acquisition mode: dation
name of donor, testator, seller: bidault de l'isle, georges
date of acquisition: 17–10–1977
institution: carnavalet museum, history of paris
inventory number: d. 9055. Date: between 1789 and 1790.
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