Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
production date: around 1790
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: "a large part of the inhabitants of paris of all states, of all sexes, and of all / ages, were cheerfully [sic] on the champ de mars to move the earth to raise [sic] the altar / of the fatherland. Year 1792 / [sic] (old stile. )". \ inscription in ink
inscription - on the front of the old montage, top right, handwritten label in ink: "51emefeuille" \ inscription in ink
stamp - front: "carnavalet"
iconographic description:
historical scene: man, woman, child, clergyman, old man, wheelbarrow, drum, shovel, pickaxe, flag, fraternity, work, champ-de-mars, federation day; french revolution. Historical commentary:
brotherly enthusiasm of parisians, all social classes mixed, participating in the work of the amphitheater intended to receive the hundreds of thousands of spectators for the federation day. 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. 9079. Date: circa 1790.
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