CONCLUSION DE LA CAMPAGNE LIBERTE DE 1781 EN VIRGINIE./ LE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE

Date1789

Engraver Noel Le Mire

After work by Jean Baptiste Le Paon

Publisher Noel Le Mire

OriginEurope, France, Paris

MediumLine engraving and etching on laid paper

DimensionsOverall: 21 5/8 × 15 in (54.93 × 38.1cm)
Other (Platemark): 20 × 14 1/2 in (50.8 × 36.83cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1950-227

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "CONCLUSION DE LA CAMPAGNE LIBERTÉ DE 1781 EN VIRGINIE./ LE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE,/ Maréchal de Camp des Armées du Roi, et Commandant de la Garde Nationale Parisienne./ Peint par L. le Paon Peintre de Bataille de S. A. S. M.gr le Prince de Conde./ Gravé par N. le Mire des Academies Imperiales et Royales et de celle des Siences et Arts de Rouen et de Lille/ L'Amérique étoit asservie,/ Ce Héros vint briser ses fers;/ Ses succès au dela des Mers/ Présageoient ceux de sa Patrie./ Cette Estampe se vend avec Privilege du Roi. [à] Paris chez Le Mire, rue et Porte S.t Jacques N.o 122."Label TextThis print of the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) was originally created as a companion to a 1781 image of George Washington, emphasizing Lafayette's close relationship with the general. During the French Revolution, the print's title was altered to indicate Lafayette's new role as Commander of the Parisian National Guard. In 1824, during Lafayette's tour of the United States, he shared a heartfelt reunion with James Lafayette, a formerly enslaved double agent who served under the Marquis and provided valuable intelligence for the Siege of Yorktown. James gained notoriety after this reunion and the Black groom, shown alongside Lafayette, became increasingly associated with him. A portrait of James was painted soon after Lafayette's tour and broadsides with Lafayette's testimony of James's service were engraved after the portrait.ProvenanceBefore 1950, Rockwell Gardiner (Stamford, CT); 1950-present, purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)