Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
other titles:
heads à la titus. (inscribed title (letter)), comparison of modes. (inscribed title (letter)), couple on a walk (dummy title), winter of the year 9. (inscribed title (letter))
date of production: between 1788 and 1804
type(s) of object(s): drawing, graphic arts
name(s): drawing
dimensions - artwork:
height: 36cm
width: 53. 5cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 65cm
description:
set of 83 known revolutionary gouaches, including 73 preserved at the carnavalet museum. Marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
legend - on the front of the old montage, under each gouache, labels with handwritten legends in ink, from left to right: "heads with titus / an. 9. "; "comparison of fashions. / costume of muscadin / since then [sic] the revolution. / year 9. / petit-maître before / the revolution"; "winter of the year 9. / comforter of satin bordered / with marten. Palatine, and veil / with lace. ". \ inscription in ink
inscription - on the front of the old montage, top right, handwritten label in ink: "57th sheet". \ inscription in ink
inscription - on the back of the montage, behind the gouache captioned "heads à la titus", handwritten inscription in ink: "nº28. Heads à la titus an 6. Et 7. ". Iconographic description:
group of figures: woman, man, couple, "titus" hairstyle, dress, antique style, shawl, hat, cane / muscadine, bouquet, wig, ancien-régime / comforter, satin, marten, palatine, veil, lace, national guard, uniform, sabre, cane, bicorne, winter, fashion; french revolution. Historical commentary:
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. Mode of acquisition: purchase
date of acquisition: 01–09–2002
institution: carnavalet museum, history of paris
inventory number: d. 14948. Date: between 1788 and 1804.
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