Allegory of the Marriages Performed by the City of Paris in Honor of the Birth of the Duc de Bourgogne in 1751
Louis Joseph Xavier, a prince of the House of Bourbon and second in line to the throne, was born on September 13, 1751. His arrival was greeted by a flood of tributes in various forms—print, poetry, theater, song, and more.
After producing several allegories celebrating the royal birth, Saint-Aubin changed tack and devised a more complex composition commemorating the dowries that were distributed to six hundred less privileged young women. The marriages took place on a single day, November 9, 1751, in churches throughout the city. This large ebullient drawing in ink, wash, and colored chalks was etched by the artist on a smaller scale (1977.530.1).
After producing several allegories celebrating the royal birth, Saint-Aubin changed tack and devised a more complex composition commemorating the dowries that were distributed to six hundred less privileged young women. The marriages took place on a single day, November 9, 1751, in churches throughout the city. This large ebullient drawing in ink, wash, and colored chalks was etched by the artist on a smaller scale (1977.530.1).
Artwork Details
- Title: Allegory of the Marriages Performed by the City of Paris in Honor of the Birth of the Duc de Bourgogne in 1751
- Artist: Gabriel de Saint-Aubin (French, Paris 1724–1780 Paris)
- Date: 1751
- Medium: Black chalk, pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, with white gouache and touches of blue and red chalk
- Dimensions: Sheet: 13 3/4 × 9 13/16 in. (35 × 25 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: Promised Gift of Stephen A. Geiger, in memory of his parents, Howard W. Geiger and Mildred K. Geiger, and in honor of his brother, Julian R. Geiger
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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