A la recherche d'une iconographie 'incroyable' et 'merveilleuse'
Résumé
In this article, we are studying the place and the function of interior decoration during the Directoire period. The original works of painters such as Girodet, Gerard, Prud'hon, Meynier, and, to a lesser extend, Lafitte's panels inspired by Percier and Fontaine's models, constitute our main focus. Contrary to the usual perception concerning the total artistic break brought by the French Revolution, this production stays so close to the decorative tradition, that one can trace a clear line of descent in the decorative style in the Chaussee d'Antin District, between 1.770 and 1800. The second part of this study is two pronged : First we examine the venues for the exhibitions of these panels, i.e. the private salons which occupied a sort of middle ground, between private and public space. Then we examine the constant iconographic elements present in these ensembles, which are supposed to replace the influence of the Merveilleuses, after they were excluded from the political arena.