Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
other title: the session of st. Cloud. (inscribed title (letter))
production date: between 1799 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, under gouache, label with handwritten legend in ink: "la sceance [sic] de st cloud. / france was threatened with imminent ruin: the enemies had reconquered italy, chased out our armies, and planned [sic] / to enter france. The fire of war reignited in the vendée, the vendée boasted that they would soon be in paris. Those who governed seemed to be concerned only with their particular interests or their pleasures. Bonaparte abandoned [sic] the conquest [sic] of egypt to fly to the aid of france. General and extraordinary assembly, in st. Cloud there he asks the governors [sic] what became of his conquettes [sic] and what they / did [sic] with the millions that he had sent to france when he was carrying out conquests [sic] in italy; he reproaches them for their blindness / on the projects of the enemies, and on the dangers which surround them; he proves to them the necessity [sic] of another government, / at this proposal loud cries are raised [sic] a part of the assembly is angry against him. . . He must be chased out of here / - your tone. He must be arrested. . . He must be put on trial. . . Etc. Bonnaparte [sic] addressing the grenadiers on guard / but friends are you for me?. Everyone answered yes general. . France is saved exclaims bonnaparte [sic] / a few furious people advance towards him with daggers in their hands. But the grenadiers push them back and chase them from the room. "
iconographic description:
historical scene: napoleon bonaparte, general, grenadier, deputy, dagger, rifle bayonet, coup d'état; directory. Council of 500. 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. Acquisition method: manual donation
name of donor, testator, seller: liesville, alfred de, viscount
date of acquisition: 01–01–1881
institution: carnavalet museum, history of paris
inventory number: d. 14433. Date: between 1799 and 1800.
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