The Graphic Arts Collection has received a promised gift of 31 large format, pochoir colored woodcuts from the Pellerin firm in Epinal, France. Designed by François Georgin (1801-1863) between 1820 and 1839, each of the plates shows one event from the celebrated life of Napoleon.
We are very grateful to Bruce Willsie, Class of 1986, for this amazing discovery and gift.
The new collection got us to thinking about other ‘apotheosis’ prints (those that elevate someone to divine status) that might be found within the Graphic Arts Collection. It turns out there are many but here is a sampling.
James Gillray (1757-1815), The Apotheosis of Hoche, November 1798. Etching. Gift of Dickson Q. Brown, Class of 1895. Graphic Arts Collection GA 2006.01538
Baricou Montbrun, L’Apotre de la liberte immortalize (The Apostle of Freedom Immortalized or The Apotheosis of Benjamin Franklin), [Paris: Montbrun, ca. 1790]. Stipple engraving. Graphic Arts Collection GA 2012.01431
Gilbert Randon (1814-1884), after Abraham Girardet (1764-1823). Apotheose de J. J. Rousseau, sa translation au Pantheon (11 octobre 1794) (Apotheosis of J. J. Rousseau, His Translation to the Pantheon (October 11, 1794), no date [1847-1854]. Engraving. Graphic Arts Collection GA 2012.00846
George Moutard Woodward (ca. 1760-1809), Napoleon’s Apotheosis Anticipated or the Wise Men of Leipsic Sending Boney to Heaven Before His Time!!!, [September 15, 1805?]. Hand colored etching. Gift of Dickson Q. Brown, Class of 1895. Graphic Arts Collection GA 2006.01538