Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
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
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 each gouache, labels with handwritten legends in ink. From left to right: "sans-culotte lighting / his pipe. "; “butcher boy going to stand guard. ”; "bourgeois going / going [sic] to mount his / guard. "; "citizen hunter going / to stand guard. "; “a citizen in an attitude of defending [sic] / the freedom he has just acquired. ”; “sans-culotte standing guard / with his pike. ” \ inscription in ink
inscription - on the front of the old montage, handwritten label in ink: "29th sheet" \ inscription in ink
iconographic description:
figures: sans-culotte, sentry, butcher, bourgeois, hunter, saber, pike, rifle, pipe, liberty, statue, costume; french revolution. Historical commentary:
lesueur represents sans-culottes in a picturesque and varied manner, lined up like military figurines. The artist almost always gives his characters childish faces, these little "terrorists" don't look very ferocious. All of lesueur's gouaches 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. 9077. Date: between 1793 and 1794.
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