Component detail

From object
Shelfmark: Watercolor Cornell University Library - Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections  Suggestions & Corrections  
Type: painting
Dimension: 35 x 90
 
Component's data
Thematic group: Iconography of Lavoisier 
Type: portrait
Text: Vue due Lac de Longuemer dans les Vosges
Comment: Denis Duveen has reconstructed the background to this picture as follows: “When Lavoisier went with Guettard on the long horseback tour which was primarily intended to provide material for the projected mineralogical atlas of France, but which he also utilized to accumulate barometric and thermometric measurements from the various places through which they passed, the two scientists were accompanied by a servant, Joseph, from the Lavoisier household. After visiting Basle, the naturalists proceeded to Mulhouse, Thann and Gérarmer, where they climbed the highest peak of the Vosges mountains. During this part of the journey, they had taken a local artists [Mr Bidermann from Thann] along whom they had engaged to paint [eight] panoramic views of that region, and who remained with them until they descended the Vosges and reached Colmar. At least six of these panoramas have been preserved. The one exhibited is the only one to contain any human figures… The water color shows a small procession headed by a pedestrian wearing peasant clothes and a large Alsatian hat, evidently a local guide. Following this man in his lakeside walk, we see three horsemen who can be non other than Guettard, Lavoisier and the faithful Joseph. Some distance behind is a fourth mounted figure representing the artist himself, who is evidently making an attempt to catch up with the other – at a gallop. A supply of artist’s paper which he carries on his back proves that he is the painter who must have fallen behind while sketching and now tries to rejoin his companions. Although this can hardly be classed as a portrait or as a real work of art, it is of special interest, as only one authentic portrait of Lavoisier, by Jacques Louis David, is known to exist.”
 
Related components    (6)
 bibliography
    chronology A Chronology of Lavoisier's Career. Prepared by Maurice Daumas, Henry Guerlac and Carl Perrin. Edited by Marco Beretta
 event  (1767-08-05): Lavoisier and Guettard climbed the highest peak of the Vosges mountains. During this p...
    book Supplement to a Bibliogra
 bibliographic reference  Supplement to a Bibliography of the Works of Antoine Laurent Lavoisier...
    book Correspondance. Recueilli
 bibliographic reference  Correspondance. Recueillie et annotée par René Fric. Fascicule I. 1762-1769...
    book Catalogue of printed work
 bibliographic reference  Catalogue of printed works by and memorabilia of Antoine Laurent Lavoisier 1743-1794. Tuesday, febru...
    book
 bibliographic reference  Imaging a Career in Science. The Iconography of Antoine Laurent Lavoisier...
 related to
    mineral
 mineral in glass recipient  Marne jaune de Mulhouse...

6 record

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Attributes
Person City Cronology   Position
name: unknown Bidermann
resp.: author
name: -
date/range: 5 August 1767
date of: painted
epoch: 18 (2°)
name: Jean Etienne Guettard
resp.: portrayed
name: -
date/range: 5 August 1767
date of: painted
epoch: 18 (2°)
name: unknown Joseph
resp.: portrayed
name: -
date/range: 5 August 1767
date of: painted
epoch: 18 (2°)
name: Antoine Laurent Lavoisier
resp.: portrayed
name: -
date/range: 5 August 1767
date of: painted
epoch: 18 (2°)

 
Digital version1  Image/s
watercolorcornell

 

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