Two Medallions

Gravelot's sketch was probably intended for an engraved illustration to Abbé Jean Raymond de Petity's "Les Voeux de la France et de l'Empire...." (Paris : 1770). The sheet contains two medallion designs, the upper one featuring a Minerva-like goddess with a shield and spear triumphing over three female figures symbolizing vice. The lower design depicts a seated nude woman being crowned by a winged genius. According to Ruth Kraemer, “The double-headed eagle on the shield next to the nude woman certainly links the drawing to Marie Antoinette, a Hapsburg princess.” The Morgan preserves two further designs for Petity's publication: see 1963.13:20 and 1968.15:39.
Kraemer, discussing a related sketch in the Morgan's collection (1968.15:39), remarked that “the subject of the two sketches on one sheet (1963.13:19) may be considered another version of the theme of “A Benign Goddess” (une Déesse Bienfaisante)--a reference, of course, to Marie Antoinette--mentioned in the text to pl. vi of Petity's book. Gravelot's first ideas most likely were changed in accordance with the author's wishes.”