Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
other title: prison tribunal on september 2 and 3. (inscribed title (letter))
date of production: between 1792 and 1795
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:
inscription - on the front of the old montage, handwritten label in ink: "23rd sheet"
legend - on the front of the old montage, under gouache, label with handwritten legend in ink: "prison tribunal on september 2 and 3. / this tribunal was made up of determined revolutionaries, having no idea / of judicial forms; who, intoxicated with wine and smoke, concluded by / sending to death all the prisoners who were brought to them with the exception of a / small number of whom they had given the list; one of them with a pipe in his mouth acted as a public accuser; in vain the accused wanted to prove his innocence, he was told ironically that he was right, that he could go out;
stamp - front: "carnavalet"
iconographic description:
scene: aristocrat, suspect, defendant, bladed weapons, sans-culotte, popular court, alcohol, tobacco, sleep, prison, justice; french revolution. Historical commentary:
critical table of popular "justice" in september 1792; perhaps late, even if almost the entire political class immediately condemned these excesses. 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. 9097. Date: between 1792 and 1795.
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