Allégorie de la chute de la famille du Barry (Original Title) c. 1774

Hubert Robert created this wash drawing titled ‘Allegory of the Fall of the du Barry Family’. It speaks volumes about the tumultuous times of the French Revolution, and the swift reversals of fortune that defined the era. The du Barry family, once close to the monarchy, experienced a dramatic fall from grace. Robert's image encapsulates this shift, presenting us with a scene of disarray and displacement. We see figures in various states of distress and destitution, their former status overturned. The work poignantly questions how identities and social roles are fragile, especially during periods of political upheaval. The emotional narrative captured here reflects the personal tragedies embedded within the grand narratives of history. Robert’s artwork serves as a reminder of how power and privilege can be fleeting. The downfall of a family, once at the apex of society, mirrors the broader societal changes during the Revolution, provoking thoughts on the human cost of political change.