Study for "The Enrollment of the Volunteers of 1792"

ca. 1848–51

Not on view

Following the Revolution of 1848, the new Second Republic government commissioned Couture to paint "The Enrollment of the Volunteers of 1792" for the Hall of Sessions of the National Assembly. The government sought a unifying message of patriotism by highlighting a historical moment when, amid the turbulence of the Revolution initiated in 1789, Frenchmen of many classes came together in defense of the Republic, then at war with Austria. This study for the left portion of the composition lays out the frieze-like procession of the volunteers. The workmen strain with the labor of pulling a cannon forward, while a young aristocrat following at their heels raises his arm with enthusiasm.

Artwork Details

Title: Study for "The Enrollment of the Volunteers of 1792"
Artist: Thomas Couture (French, Senlis 1815–1879 Villiers-le-Bel)
Date: ca. 1848–51
Medium: Black chalk on gray paper
Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 21 1/4 in. (43.8 x 54cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1960
Object Number: 60.142.2
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Thomas Couture

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Interior of a Church, Thomas Couture French, Black chalk, heightened with white — Interior of a Church
Thomas Couture
1877

Lawyer on His Way to Court (Se Rendant à l'Audience), Thomas Couture French, Black chalk — Lawyer on His Way to Court (Se Rendant à l'Audience)
Thomas Couture
1830–79

Study for the decoration of the ceiling of the Opéra Comique, Thomas Couture French, Black chalk on blue paper mounted on cardboard — Study for the decoration of the ceiling of the Opéra Comique
Thomas Couture
ca. 1857

Study for “The Enrollment of the Volunteers of 1792”, Thomas Couture French, Fabricated black chalk — Study for “The Enrollment of the Volunteers of 1792”
Thomas Couture
1848

Soap Bubbles, Thomas Couture French, Oil on canvas — Soap Bubbles
Thomas Couture
ca. 1859

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.