moss > Les Visiteurs d’ Été: Marquis de La Fayette

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Detail:

Les Visiteurs d’ Été:
Marquis de La Fayette

designer:
Jean-Antoine Houdon

design year:
1790

manufacturer:
Manufacture National de Sèvres, France

materials:
biscuit porcelain

notes:
The Marquis de La Fayette (Marie-Joseph-Paul-Roch-Yves-Gilbert du Motier) played a key role in both the French and American Revolutions. Born in the Auvergne region of France in 1757, he entered the French Army at the early age of 14. He was a Captain, and only 19 years old, when the British colonies in America proclaimed their independence; soon after hearing of the grave disasters the Americans were facing, he made arrangements to enter the American army. The French King, himself, forbade La Fayette to leave for America, and ordered his arrest. Escaping custody in disguise, La Fayette quickly departed for America with 11 companions. Through Silas Deane, an American agent in Paris, he was given documents to present to Congress, entitling him to become a Major General in the American Army. Congress did not immediately grant him this title, and yet, after La Fayette’s offer to enter the army free of pay, Congress acquiesced, pending approval from George Washington. After demonstrating courage and talent in his first battle, his requested rank was ultimately granted; La Fayette went on to prove his military talents in several instrumental battles throughout America, as well as forging treaties of commerce and defense between the Colonies and his homeland, France.

In 1787, La Fayette took a seat in the French Assembly of Notables, and demanded that the King empower the États-Généraux (a Parliamentary assembly), thus becoming a leader in the French Revolution. Elected to the États-Généraux, and made vice-president of the National Assembly, on the 11th of July, 1789 he proposed a declaration of rights based on Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence of 1776. Six days later, after La Fayette was made Colonel General of the National Guard of Paris, he proposed the combination of the colors of Paris - red, white and blue - into the flag of modern France.

For the remainder of his life, La Fayette was strongly involved in many pursuits of liberty - religious tolerance, the emancipation of slaves, freedom of the press, the abolition of titles of nobility, and the suppression of privileged orders. He voted against the life consulate of Napoléon, and again against the imperial title for Napoléon. The Marquis died in Paris in 1834.

In 2002, President George W. Bush granted him honorary citizenship.

dimensions:
height: 30 ¼”

price upon request