Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
other title: women. (inscribed title (letter))
production date: between 1790 and 1800
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, at the top in the middle, label with handwritten caption in ink: "les femmes. " \ inscription in ink
legend - on the front of the old montage, under each gouache, labels with captions handwritten in ink: from left to right: "woman having seized a saber / dances singing songs / warriors [sic], to encourage young people / people to go and hunt / the enemies / who attack france. "; "mother with her daughter singing / patriotic hymns in civic processions / and wearing wreaths [sic] to give to the / defenders [sic] of the homeland. "; “mother with her son whom she dressed as a sapper [sic]. ”; "nº4. / young mother dressed [sic] in the greek style. "; "nº5 / another young mother dressed [sic] in the greek style. "; “citizen dancing the carmagnole. ”. \ inscription in ink
inscription - on the front of the old montage, top right, illegible sheet number, traces of erasure. \ inscription in ink
inscription - on the back of the old montage, handwritten inscriptions behind the following gouaches: from right to left: first gouache: "nº1"; second "nº2"; third: "nº17. Citizen with her son whom she dressed as a sapper [sic]. "; sixth: "nº3 - citizen dancing the carmagnole with the citizen of nº42. ". \ inscription in ink
iconographic description:
group of figures: woman, mother, son, daughter, sapper, antique style, english style, wreath of flowers, turban, headdress, tricolor ribbon, shawl, sabre, axe, song, dance, carmagnole, fashion; consulate. 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. 14945. Date: between 1790 and 1800.
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