1791 – Pierre Laurent
Géricault Life
Pierre Laurent’s engraving of “The Ruins of the Colosseum” Musée Français; Volume 3, 1806. (Private Collection)
Pierre Laurent: 1791 – 1802
In my November issue, I presented our first discussion of Théodore Géricault’s family links to the Musée français, the most important collection of engravings produced of the paintings, sculpture, bas-reliefs, and other objects gathered in Napoleon’s Louvre. The Musée français was conceived initially by Pierre Laurent, an engraver and entrepreneur. In this article we expand our discussion of Laurent and describe the genesis of the Musée français. Our initial source is Louis Robillard de Péronville, Théodore Géricault’s Robillard relation and Pierre Laurent’s partner from 1802.
1807 – Robillard de Péronville *
“I am the editor with Mr. Laurent, engraver, of the work entitled the Musée Français following an agreement passed between us on 18 ventôse Year 10, (March 9th, 1802) before Delacour, notary of Paris, The purpose of which is to reproduce, in engravings, the masterpieces of art collected in the magnificent repository of the same name…
The enterprise of Mr. Laurent finds its beginnings in the permissions accorded him, in the month of August, 1792, and in the month of May, 1792, to make engravings of the paintings in the collection of the king. This was his earliest plan. This authorization to him was confirmed by a decision of the Committee of Public Instruction, of 16 prairial Year 3 (June 4th, 1795); the Committee subscribed for 100 copies of each issue in the name of the government.
A first society was contracted between Mr. Laurent and Mr. Cavaignac and Mr. Patris; it did not produce the desired results and was dissolved. A second association with Mr. Joli and Mr. Beaurepaire, ended the same way, despite the support of the Committe of Public Instruction, and the subscription for one hundred issues facilitating production.
And so in vendémiaire of Year 9 (Sept – Oct, 1801) Mr. Laurent conceived of an association and submitted this plan to Mr. de Faucompre, the notary. He looked to recruit fifty share-holders. The price of each share would be five thousand francs…The public did not respond to this appeal and the association could not form. A fourth attempt by Mr. Laurent was no happier. This agreement with the publisher G. Dufour was recorded before a notary. But soon realizing the magnitudes of the burdens of this agreement, he believed it prudent to renounce it and resign himself to his losses.
I often saw Mr. Laurent. He talked to me of his projects and of the difficulties he had encountered. He urged me to support him. I considered the possibility for a long time and took stock of my resources. Finally, in ventôse of Year 10 [Feb.-Mar. 1802] I decided to form the association with Mr. Laurent of which I have spoken, which then commenced…”
* Robillard de Peronville. Premier Aperçu de L’Affaire pour M. Robillard Peronville contre M. Croze-Magnan. Paris : L’Imprimerie de Hernan, Janvier 1807.
Conclusion
Théodore Géricault was approaching his 11th birthday when the first livraisons of the Musée français appeared in the spring of 1803. Investing in the Musée français must have seemed an attractive opportunity to Louis Robillard de Péronville in 1802, after his return to France from Saint Domingue some years earlier. We discuss this investment in much greater detail elsewhere in days to come.
As for Théodore – our view is that direct family involvement in the production of the Musée français, more than any other single factor, shaped Théodore Géricault’s decision to become a professional painter. However, the sheer scale and scope of the enterprise extended far beyond Géricault’s immediate circle. The genesis of Pierre Laurent’s project, and the impact of the Musée français, and similar publications, upon the public and upon artists everywhere is therefore essential to our understanding of both Géricault and the art and audiences of his time.
Pierre Laurent’s credit “Engraved by P…Laurent Editor & Director of Engraving of the Musée Français.” – “The Ruins of the Colloseum” Musée Français (detail); Volume 3, 1806. (Private collection)