Artwork

Fête donnée à Tivoli en faveur des pensionnaires de l'ancienne liste civile le 3 Juin 1840

Fête donnée à Tivoli en faveur des pensionnaires de l'ancienne liste civile le 3 Juin 1840 is a print by the Romanticist artist Jules Platier. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

The ceiling has big beams and hanging lights, and the walls are draped with heavy fabric.

This drawing shows a crowded party inside a grand tent. People in fancy 1840s clothes dance and talk, while musicians play on the sides. The ceiling has big beams and hanging lights, and the walls are draped with heavy fabric. Outside the tent, a small village scene is sketched at the bottom.

The text at the bottom names it a charity event for retired civil servants in 1840. The artist signed it "Platier Fils," meaning he was likely the son of another artist.

Next, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see this drawing in person.

Overview

Fête donnée à Tivoli en faveur des pensionnaires de l'ancienne liste civile le 3 Juin 1840 is an 1840 print by Jules Platier, depicting a charity event for retired civil servants held at Tivoli on June 3, 1840. The work is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates a lively indoor party within a grand tent, featuring attendees in 1840s attire engaging in dance and conversation, accompanied by musicians. The scene contrasts the opulent interior with a sketch of a humble village outside, highlighting the event's charitable purpose for pensioners from the former civil list.

Technique & Style

The drawing showcases Platier's attention to detail in capturing textures (beamed ceiling, draped fabrics) and activities. Signed 'Platier Fils', suggesting the artist's familial artistic lineage, the work reflects a realistic, observant approach to depicting mid-19th-century social gatherings.

History & Provenance

Created in 1840, the print commemorates a specific charitable event at Tivoli. Its provenance is traced to its current holding at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though earlier ownership details are not specified here.

Context

The work provides a visual record of 19th-century French social and charitable practices, particularly the support for retirees from the civil service, reflecting the period's values and class structures.

Legacy

While not widely renowned beyond its historical documentation of a specific event, the print offers insights into the artistic depiction of social life in 19th-century France and the traditions of charitable gatherings among the bourgeoisie.