GENERAL MARQUIS de LAYAYETTE in AMERICA
[Lafayette] Cior, Pierre Charles
From Borg Antiquarian, Lake Forest, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
AbeBooks Seller since 3 December 2018
From Borg Antiquarian, Lake Forest, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
AbeBooks Seller since 3 December 2018
About this Item
Three-quarter's view gouache portrait of Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), in the dark blue uniform with gold epaulettes of a Major-General of the American Continental Army during the 1780's; his image in flanked to his right by a tiny row of soldiers bearing weapons and a flag. This portrait miniature on ivory has been inserted into the lid of a round box made of toirtoise-shell with gold mounting and glass dome; (unframed image: 2.8" x 2.8" / 7.2 x 7.2 cm; framed: 3.2" x 3.2" / 8.1 x 8.1 cm); signed by Pierre Charles Cior, the French miniaturist, as "P. Cior" and dated "an 3e" or the 3rd year of the French Revolution, that is, 1795/96. This gouache portrait miniature on ivory is of the dashing young Marquis de Lafayette in the impressive dark blue uniform of a Major-General of the American Continental Army under the command of George Washington. One can see a faint line of soldiers to his right. It may have been based on a certain painting (possibly lost today), or an engraving--both from the 1780's. It was executed by the French miniaturist Pierre Charles Cior (1769-ca.1840) during the third year of the French revolution, i.e., 1795 or 1796. For comparables, see the oil on canvas executed by Joseph Boze in 1790; the engraving by François Séraphin Delpech in the National Portrait Gallery; and the oil signed and dated "G. Bevalet, 1788" sold by Skinner Auctions, June 8, 2008. The Marquis de Lafayette defied his government and left France at the age of 19 in 1777, hoping to serve courageously as a volunteer in the American war for independence from Great Britain. Already a skillful diplomat, Lafayette hoped for military command. In cooperation with Benjamin Franklin, Lafayette had already exercized important influence on the French king by trying to convince him of the need to increase France's financial and military commitment to the American cause. Lafayette was especially fortunate in his new relationship with George Washington, who took him under his wing, treated him like a son, and enabled the Marquis to serve honorably and with high rank in the Continental Army. (Subsequently, the Marquis named his own son "Georges Washington" in fond remembrance.) Lafayette was also a close friend of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. During the Marquis' service in the Continental Army, he spent most of December 1777 and January 1778 in winter quarters at Valley Forge with Washington and his ragged troops. The wealthy Frenchman spent significant sums from his own fortune to help the beleaguered and frostbitten men. He also supported Washington when rebellious soldiers during the "Conway Cabal" tried to compel their general to give up command. During his first action at Brandywine on September 11, 1777, Lafayette displayed extreme courage under fire as he led his men in an orderly retreat. During the skirmish, he was severely wounded in the calf, yet managed to survive. Thereafter, he was given command of a division of men. Lafayette also fought in the battles of Glouchester, Barren Hill, Rhode Island, Monmoth, Green Spring; and at the siege of Yorktown, where he blocked British troops led by General Charles Cornwallis and contributed to this major surrender of British forces. After the war with Britian had been won in America by the combined arms of Americans and their French allies, Lafayette returned to France, where he risked his life in inspired but vain efforts to bring democracy to his land. He sought a government of balance between competing interests and moderation that would support democratic values. At the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1787, when he was just 29, Lafayette was appointed to the Assembly of Notables. He lobbied for the convocation of the Estates General and became a deputy for the Second Estate. Two years later, he joined the newly formed National Assembly and was elected as its vice president. An empassioned advocate of individual rights, Lafayette took a lead role in the cr. Seller Inventory # 1899
Bibliographic Details
Title: GENERAL MARQUIS de LAYAYETTE in AMERICA
Publisher: Pierre Charles Cior, France
Publication Date: 1795
Illustrator: Pierre Charles Cior
Condition: Near Fine
Signed: Signed by Author(s)
Edition: Original.
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