[The Three Orders, French Revolution, allegorical political cartoons]. Etching (18.5 x 32 cm) composed of 18 miniature medallions (4.4 cm diameter each) finely heightened in watercolour. No place no date [circa 1790]. Framed under glass, Marie-Louise chocolate, modern brown wood frame, interior gilt moulding.
Rare engraving glorifying the Third Estate at the end of the Ancien Régime, at the Estates-General and then at the oath of the Jeu de Paume.
Some of the miniature vignettes are inspired by those that appeared in collections published to the glory of the Third Estate. The titles are evocative: “Le tems passé” [Time has passed], “Le vœu du tiers” [The vow of the Third Estate], “Quit sum” [“I am arrested” showing a religious man], “Je suis Citoyen” [I am a Citizen] [Philippe-Egalité], “Départ des trois Ordres” [Departure of the three Orders], “J’sommes ma foi du tiers” [I am my faith in the Third Estate], “Trois têtes sous le même bonnet” [The supremacy of the Third Order], “Saute marquis et toi hipocrite” [The supremacy of the Third Estate], “Chacun son écot” [each with their own financial burden] [The meeting of the three orders, 27 June 1789], “Patience… . ça ira [: y n’faut qu’sentendre]”, “Le niveau”, “Emblème des Etats Généraux”, “Convoi des Abus” [from “Convoi du tres haut et tres puissant seigneur des abus, mort sous le règne de Louis XVI le 4 mai 1789”, opening of the Estates General], “Procession à l’ouverture des Etats”, “Serment des trois Ordres” [Oath of the Three Orders] [Serment du Jeu de paume 20 June 1789], “Douze et quatre font seize” [Twelve and four make sixteen] [Louis XII and Henri IV make Louis XVI], “Y faut que tout l’monde vive” [Everyone has to live].
Tiny stains, not serious.
800 €