Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
other title: napoleon's orderly officer. (dummy title)
production date: in 1807
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: "on the night of december 18 to 19, 1806 the emperor napoleon presented himself at one/of the gates of warsaw accompanied only by two ordinance [sic]. The/sentinel who had been [sic] forbidden [sic] to let anyone pass did not want to allow [sic] for the monarch to enter the city - "don't you know me / said the emperor to him" - "no, replied the soldier" - "i am the emperor" - / - "in this case you can pass, said the sentry coldly. "
inscription - on the front of the old montage, handwritten label in ink: "94th sheet" \ inscription in ink
iconographic description:
scene: man, napoleon (1769-1821), emperor, horse, soldier, dragon, sentinel, defense / figure: orderly officer; polish campaign, first empire, warsaw
historical commentary:
anecdote showing napoleon arrested by a somewhat stubborn sentry, during the polish campaign. On the right, in a smaller format, orderly officer of the emperor. 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. 9104. Date: En 1807.
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