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Allison Hokanson (New York, 22/12/2010)
I write in the hope of receiving your assistance regarding one of James Pradier’s drawings of The Apotheosis of Napoléon for the couronnement of the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile. I am researching the drawing, which is now in the Louvre, for a forthcoming exhibition at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York.
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In your edition of Pradier’s correspondence, you mention three letters from 1852 that are related to this drawing (vol. 2, p. 18, n. 3). However, I do not believe that these letters were published in the projected fourth volume of the collection. Do you know where I might find reproductions or transcriptions of them? I would greatly appreciate any information that you might be able to provide.
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Douglas Siler (22/12/2010)
I will look for the three letters in my files as soon as I can get around to it. Meanwhile, have you seen Claude Lapaire's new book, James Pradier (1790-1852) et la sculpture française de la génération romantique, which discusses the « couronnement » projet at length and quotes the letters? You will also find an entry about it in the Statues de chair exhibition catalog. And are you aware that a moulage in résine, « touchable » by blind visitors, is on display in the Louvre? I haven’t seen it myself but the photos below are posted on the blog « cbx41 ».
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Notice the inscription in Braille on the metal plaque. As you know, the orginal plaster cast of Pradier's project is also in the Louvre but is not presently on display.
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Allison Hokanson (23/12/2010)
Thank you for your prompt and helpful response. I would be extremely grateful if you could look for the letters in your files when you get the chance. I know of the new Lapaire catalogue raisonné, but I haven't been able to consult it as of yet as the book was promptly snatched from the library shelves when it arrived. I have the Statues de chair reference in hand. I wasn't aware of the moulage at the Louvre - what a wonderful idea. And of course, it's vital to have a sense of the three-dimensional sculpture while writing about the drawing.
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Douglas Siler (24/1/2011)
I finally found time to copy the three Pradier letters for you. Sorry it took so long. The first two are addressed to « Monsieur le Ministre », probably comte de Persigny who was Ministre de l’Intérieur at the time. I assume that the first, undated, was written shortly before the second, dated 16 mars 1852. The third, dated 31 mai 1852, only four days before Pradier’s death, is addressed to « Mon Prince », i.e. to the « Prince-Président » Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, soon to become Napoléon III. Click on the titles below to open the letters in doc format.
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Lettre 1
Lettre 2
Lettre 3
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Can you tell me when the exhibition will take place and under what title?
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Allison Hokanson (24/1/2011)
I'm extremely grateful to you for taking the time to transcribe the Pradier letters. I am so pleased to be able to include Pradier's own descriptions of the project in my discussion of the drawing. He is so thorough in detailing his sources, the connection to ancient Rome, and the meaning of the eagle - that I can hardly believe it. What valuable material! We will, of course, credit you in the catalogue, and mention the forthcoming publication of the letters in the projected volumes of Pradier's correspondence. Do you know if they have been published previously? The exhibition is tentatively titled David, Delacroix and Revolutionary France: Drawings from the Louvre. It will take place 22 September 2011 to 12 January 2012.
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