Ontwerp voor een standbeeld van generaal Jean-Charles Pichegru c. 1818 - 1819

Alexandre Evariste Fragonard made this print of a statue design for General Jean-Charles Pichegru sometime in the early 1800s. It is made of paper, with an eye to the stone it represents. The print captures the monument’s intended grandeur, showing Pichegru in classical garb, flanked by a lion and dog—symbols of courage and fidelity. Fragonard’s choice of printmaking allows for broad distribution of the image, influencing public opinion and shaping the general’s legacy. Look closely at the base of the statue and the surrounding panels. They depict scenes from Pichegru’s life, aiming to create an idealized narrative. The print’s lines create an illusion of depth and volume; consider how the artist mimics the texture of stone and the play of light on its surface. The print medium contrasts sharply with the envisioned monumentality of stone. It's a reminder of the political uses that monuments serve, and the translation of individual action into public memory.