Author(s):
lesueur, jean-baptiste (paris, in 1749 - plailly, in 1826), designer
production date: in 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 gouache, label with handwritten legend in ink: "republican meal. Messidor year 2. / it was proposed that all the inhabitants of paris fraternize together through civic meals, tables / were set up in all the streets; they were decorated with flowers, busts of shrubs [sic] with garlands and tricolor ribbons; / the rich brought his roast, and his burgundy wine: the poor man his boiled meat, his cheese and wine, placed there / indistinctly we ate and we drank with this french gaiety [sic] which was further increased by the feeling of / equality: at the table followed the dancing, the most lively joy annimoited [sic] all the ages [sic]; as immence as that of paris is [sic] caused no accident. ". Iconographic description:
scene: woman, man, sans-culotte, child, people, portrait, bust, marat, rousseau, le peletier?, dog, wine, meat, tree, joy, civic-mindedness; french revolution. Historical commentary:
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 method: manual donation
name of donor, testator, seller: bidault de l'isle, jean-charles (mr. And madam)
date of acquisition: 01–10–2005
institution: carnavalet museum, history of paris
inventory number: d. 15453. Date: En 1794.
Loading...
