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Minerve Enchères
120
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19th-century French school. “Bailly”.
See original version (French)
120
-
19th-century French school. “Bailly”.
See original version (French)
Estimate €200 - €300
Voluntary lot
Description
19th-century French school. “Bailly”. Bronze cast with a golden-brown patina. Cast by Susse Frères. (H.: 27 cm)
Jean Sylvain Bailly was the first mayor of Paris during the French Revolution in July 1789.
Called to testify at the trial of Marie-Antoinette, he refused to testify against her and spoke in her favour, which implicitly led to his downfall.
His trial was hastily conducted by the Revolutionary Tribunal from 9 to 10 November 1793, and the sentence was carried out the following day. As the condemned man’s limbs were shaken by an involuntary tremor, a spectator said to him:
‘— Are you trembling, Bailly?
— Yes,’ replied the old man calmly, ‘but it’s only because I’m cold.’
The spectator is said to have then given him his coat.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits:
Minerve Auctions
See original version (French)
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