Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
other title: arrest of louis xvi in varennes. (inscribed title (letter))
date of production: between 1791 and 1792
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: "arrest of louis xvi in varennes. / louis xvi escaped from thuilleries on the night of june 17, 1791. Taking the queen, her two children and her sister; arrived in varennes near the / borders, the driver of the car persisted in wanting to change horses, his own being having run several posts, promises [sic], and / threats, nothing could induce him to walk other horses not being ready it was necessary to stop at the inn: the dispute had attracted spectators / we tried to know who could [sic] be these travelers who showed so much eagerness to continue their journey, and who hid themselves so carefully [sic] / from the public eye; the mayor came who recognized the king, and told him that he could not let him pass, the most seductive promises, the prayers, the tears / of the queen and her family nothing could touch the inflexible mayor. The king was arrested and brought back to paris on the 25th. "
stamp - front: "carnavalet"
iconographic description:
historical scene: louis xvi (1754-1793), king, marie-antoinette (1755-1793), queen, madame elisabeth (1764-1794), sister of the king, louis charles of france (1785-1795), dauphin, lady-in-waiting, syndic prosecutor sauce, mayor, national guard, fainting, arrest; french revolution. Historical commentary:
the scene illustrates in its own way the arrest of the royal family during their attempt to escape. Lesueur not being a portrait painter, louis xvi bears very little resemblance, despite being slightly overweight. 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. 9095. Date: between 1791 and 1792.
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