Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
other titles:
citizens offering clothing and shoes intended for volunteers of the revolutionary armies. (dummy title), sectional in front of their cannon. (dummy title)
date of production: between 1792 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 caption in ink: "a young girl had promised her lover to marry him / on returning from the war, however injured he may be, she appears / willing to keep her promise / year 2. . ". Legend - on the front of the old montage, under the central gouache, label with handwritten caption in ink: "very patriotic citizens bring / shirts, shoes, stockings, clothes; to send to the volunteers of the armies / who lack all this. ". Legend - on the front of the old montage, under the gouache on the right, handwritten label in ink: "citizen standing guard near a cannon. ". Inscription - on the front of the old montage, top right, handwritten label in ink: "49th sheet". \ inscription in ink
stamp - front: "carnavalet"
iconographic description:
scene: young girl, lover, wounded, crutch, dog, laurel, fidelity / scene: sans-culotte, sections, shirt, shoe, stockings, habit, offering, patriotism / group of figures: sentry, cannon, saber; french revolution. Historical commentary:
the three scenes evoke loyalty, patriotism and vigilance, qualities that can enter into the definition of republican "virtue", as it was exalted in the years 1793-94. 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. 9090. Date: between 1792 and 1794.
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