Her work is luscious! And I love her because she was loyal to the monarchy,unlike David. A quote from Secret Memoirs Princess Lamballe - the book contains not only the journal of the Princess, but also footnotes, commentary and and anecdotes written by a woman who had been a courier, assistant, friend and daughter figure to the Princess and to whom the Princess personally gave her journal, for safekeeping, shortly before the mauling she suffered which ended with her head at the end of pike, paraded before the Queen's window. So, these words were written, some years after the Revolution, by this woman: "... Before I dismiss this subject, it may not be uninteresting to my readers to receive some desultory anecdotes that I have heard concerning one or two of the leading monsters, by whom the the horrors upon which I have expatiated were occasioned. David, the famous painter, was a member of the sanguinary tribunal which condemned the King. On this account, he has been banished from France since the Restoration. If anyone deserves this severity, it was David. It was at the expense of the Court of Louis XVI, that this ungrateful being was sent to Rome to perfect himself in his sublime art. His studies finished, he was pensioned from the same patrons, and upheld as an artist by the special protection of every member of the Royal Family.. And yet this man, if he may dignified by the name, had the baseness to say in the hearing of the unfortunate Louis XVI, when on trial, "Well! When are we to have his head dressed a la guillotine?" That probably hurt Louis' feelings, but surely not as much as having his own cousin, duc d'Orleans /Philippe Egalite betray him. But, that's another subject. It's a matter of public record that David was an enthusiastic participant in the Revolution, member of the Tribunal, that voted for the King's death, but it's interesting to read quotes from those who lived through the time. The writer goes on to another anecdote about David, but we'll leave it at that.
Oh, one more thing, you know the feeling you get when you unexpectedly see a friend in a public place? I got that little jolt when I came upon this painting in the Louvre.
Daniella, your twelve words brought on a deluge, didn't they?!
danielle Balsara said…
Well, you do have a lot to say and I applaud you the courage and the eloquence to do so. There are still those today who profit from the slandering of others and whose careers are built upon it, it is a real shame and a sad reality. What are we to do in our humble little lives but to admire those who had the courage to pursue a dream and speak their convictions. Imagine on top of this being a woman painter none the less, a world mainly taken by men. One of my favorite gifts is a wooden ruler that my daughter gave me of famous women painters names on it. Speak freely dear friend for there is no guillotine to fear but the slandering of others and who cares, at least we will die trying to understand rather than in complete ignorance, keep on the history reading and for GOD's sake keep me informed, I am so behind!!!!!!! Nisha is taking history of Art, that could be a darn good reason for a trip to France...fresh in her memory ...I know you would agree!!!!
La Jeune Captive said…
Mme. David was a monarchist.
When her husband became a terrorist, she was so heartbroken she decided to leave him.
Soon after they were divorced and remained so for many years, until he begged her forgiveness and got married again.
He was responsible for sending many persons to the guillotine-among those were Josephine´s first husband, the Vicomte de Beauharnais.
Comments
Oh, one more thing, you know the feeling you get when you unexpectedly see a friend in a public place? I got that little jolt when I came upon this painting in the Louvre.
There are still those today who profit from the slandering of others and whose careers are built upon it, it is a real shame and a sad reality.
What are we to do in our humble little lives but to admire those who had the courage to pursue a dream and speak their convictions. Imagine on top of this being a woman painter none the less, a world mainly taken by men. One of my favorite gifts is a wooden ruler that my daughter gave me of famous women painters names on it. Speak freely dear friend for there is no guillotine to fear but the slandering of others and who cares, at least we will die trying to understand rather than in complete ignorance, keep on the history reading and for GOD's sake keep me informed, I am so behind!!!!!!! Nisha is taking history of Art, that could be a darn good reason for a trip to France...fresh in her memory ...I know you would agree!!!!
When her husband became a terrorist, she was so heartbroken she decided to leave him.
Soon after they were divorced and remained so for many years, until he begged her forgiveness and got married again.
He was responsible for sending many persons to the guillotine-among those were Josephine´s first husband, the Vicomte de Beauharnais.