Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
other titles:
jacobin vociferating a motion to the tribune. (inscribed title (letter)), le bonet rouge. (inscribed title (letter))
date of production: between 1793 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 the left gouache, label with handwritten legend in ink: "the jacobin knitters, or robespierre. / they were a large number to whom we gave / 40 sols per day to go to the jacobins' tribune / applaud the revolutionary motions. ". \ inscription in ink
legend - on the front of the old montage, under the central gouache, label with handwritten legend in ink: "jacobin vociferating a / motion at the tribune. ". \ inscription in ink
legend - on the front of the old montage, under the right-hand gouache, handwritten label in ink: "le bonet [sic] rouge. / many citizens fearing to be denounced as / moderates adorned themselves with the bonet [sic] red / the women /! / laughed to see their husbands so elegant [sic] coiffed [sic]". \ inscription in ink
inscription - on the front of the old montage, top right, handwritten label in ink: "40th sheet". \ inscription in ink
stamp - front: "carnavalet"
iconographic description:
scene: woman, knitter, jacobin / figure: man, jacobin, tribune, motion / scene: sans-culotte, red bonnet, tricorn, wig, wife, mockery, satirical; french revolution. Historical commentary:
these three scenes were certainly painted after thermidor. Clichés making fun of the sans-culottes who, soon, will no longer make the bourgeois tremble. 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. 9085. Date: between 1793 and 1794.
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