Allégorie de la chute de la famille du Barry c. 1774

Hubert Robert made this allegory in watercolor and ink, picturing the downfall of Madame du Barry's family. Consider the turbulent context in which Robert was working. The French Revolution was overturning the old order and Robert, like many artists, was caught up in the revolutionary fervor. Here, he uses visual codes to critique the aristocracy. "Hotel du Barry" is emblazoned above a dilapidated cottage, with a donkey standing where a carriage should be, symbolizing the family's reduced status. The skulls and the abandoned wheel suggest the decay of their fortune. Robert’s representation of commoners cheering and peering down from above further mocks the family and speaks to the broader shift in power. The references to death are possibly a nod to du Barry’s eventual execution during the Reign of Terror. Understanding this image fully requires historical research, examining contemporary accounts and political pamphlets. Only then can we fully appreciate the depth of Robert's critique and the social forces that shaped it.