Description
Augustin-Bon Joseph de Robespierre was a lawyer and brother of Maximilien Robespierre, the famous French revolutionary leader. Like his elder brother, he was guillotined in 1794. The inscription reads in translation, "I share my brother's virtues. I wish to share his fate. I demand a decree of arrest against me as well. (9 Thermidor)"
Provenance
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Inscriptions
[Signature] Bottom center: P.J. David; [Transcription] At left: JE PARTAGE LES / VERTUS DE MON FRERE.JE / VEUX PARTAGER SON SORT JE / DEMANDE AUSI LE DECRET D'ARRESTON / CONTRE MOI / (9 THERMIDOR); [Translation] At left: I share my brother's virtues. I wish to share his fate. I demand a decree of arrest against me as well; [Inscription] At right: Robespierre Jeune; [Inscription] On obverse: FUMIÈRE / ET CIE SUCRS - THIEBAUT FRES / PARIS
Credit
Acquired by Henry Walters
