Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
date of production: between 1792 and 1794
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:
legend - on the front of the old montage, under gouache, label with handwritten legend in ink: "group [sic] of citizens fighting at thuilleries [sic] on august 10. Against the regiment of / swiss guards, and large number of royalists, confined in the castle [sic] from where / they fired through the windows at the people, who having defeated the swiss entered / in the castle [sic] and destroyed all those he found there / this fatal day cost the lives of many people, and had a terrible result / we did not put any opponents [sic] which would have made a unpleasant picture [sic]. \ inscription in ink
inscription - on the front of the old montage, handwritten label in ink: "70th sheet" \ inscription in ink
stamp - front: "carnavalet"
iconographic description:
group of figures: sans-culotte, pike, rifle with bayonet, saber, assault; french revolution, tuileries, bonnets, swiss guards. Historical commentary:
sans-culottes storming the tuileries, a living symbol of popular mobilization in the summer of 1792. To the right of the stage, a missing gouache perhaps showed swiss guards. 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. 9096. Date: between 1792 and 1794.
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