Lot 78: *JEAN FRANCOIS SABLET (1745-1819)

signed, dated and inscribed F. Sablet/ Paris 1794 oil on panel The sitter in the present portrait would appear to be an officer of the local government at the Municipalité or at the Administration des Sections in the revolutionary government of the Convention, as is suggested by the tricolore scarf besides him. Particular attention is given by the artist to the psychological side of the character of the sitter, whose serious demeanor belies the state of the French government at the moment that the portrait was made. The Terror which had begun in earnest in 1793 had-- after a slight lull-- roared into full force again in the spring of 1794, with the execution of the Hébertistes and Danton. The bloodshed had only begun to abate with the overthrow and death of Robespierre himself on the 10th Thermidor (28th of July). The Sablet brothers themselves were ardent Revolutionaries. In February of 1793, just days after France declared war on Britain, Holland and Spain, the Sablets (as well as the entire French community residing in Rome) were forced to leave the Eternal city, where they had set up their practices, painting portraits and genre scenes. In fact, Beat de Hennezel writes that, "les Sablet son partis par l'ordre du gouvernement pour leur democratie & imprudences" (see Literature below, p. 176). From Rome, François travelled north (via Lausanne), finally reaching Paris by October of 1793. While in Paris, he was received as a member of the Revolutionary Commune des Arts, and showed in the Concours de l'an III (that is, 1794 the year the present painting was done). Anne van de Sandt has seen the present painting first hand and confirms it to be by Jean François Sablet.