Vivant Denon

This satirical drawing, one of a series relating to the French Revolution by Vivant-Denon, likely commemorates Republican successes over the Royalists in the years 1794-95. The banner topped by the Phrygian cap probably refers to the naval Battle of Quiberon, in which divisions of emigres, launched from Great Britain in June 1795, landed in Brittany in an effort to restore the French monarchy, in an invasion planned by the Comte d'Artois, brother of Louis XVI. The attack failed, dealing a disastrous blow to the Royalist cause. The figure of the clown, a stock character of mockery in eighteenth-century French farce often referred to as Gilles, may--especially with a crown in this drawing-- represent the Comte d'Artois, who, upon arrival several months later, sailed back to England rather than support the Royalist cause. The balloon in the background of the drawing may be an allusion to the Battle of Fleurus in June 1794, in which a reconnaissance balloon remained afloat for nine hours and provided the French Army important information on troop movements of their Austrian adversaries.