Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
date of production: between 1795 and 1801
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: "divorce. / two young spouses pleaded for divorce; the judge before pronouncing showed them the most persuasive irregularity [sic] of their conduct, / unable to succeed in [sic] persuading them, he brought in a small child they had, the sight of this child, his tears, and the eloquence of the judge made such an impression on their souls [sic] that promising to forgive each other, and to forget their errors, they swore never to leave each other and to love each other until death: / the husband rejects the object which could have led him astray for some time and the one who had encouraged the wife to forget her duties, leaves full of vexation for his failed project. \ inscription in ink
inscription - on the front of the old montage, handwritten label in ink: "44th sheet" \ inscription in ink
iconographic description:
scene: man, woman, husband, child, lover, mistress, judge, divorce, reconciliation; french revolution. Historical commentary:
legalized in september 1792, the divorce procedure was made easier in 1793-94. The directory then the empire tried to limit it: this is what this late gouache illustrates. 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. 9088. Date: between 1795 and 1801.
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