French XVII Disciples Oval Table/Exhibition
“Where did my portrait go? OK, I'll use the mirror then.”
The management of the "French XVII Disciples Exhibition" is glad to propose an exquisite gallery of portraits related to the famous "French XVII Disciples". Some item-shuffling still has to be done, but you get the idea!
Louis Quatorze, Jean Bart and Romero, in Bavarian attire (the closest to "Russian disguise" Paris had to offer), welcoming Pierre Legrand with "Legrand est arrivé".
Louis Quatorze wondering if he shouldn't wear a wig after all.
Louis XIV's trombone player refused the set of "Rabane" the other Louis offered him. The result is obvious...
Louis XIV's timpani player tries to protect his eyes, with notable influence on his playing...
XVIIth Century engraving of the French Royal Dolphin. The engraving clearly shows the ability of the Royal Dolphin to stay out of the water, even having a nice smoke. Much unlike Louis XIV, who abhorred tobacco, and didn't allow any smoking in his presence.
The once famous French Royal Dolphin seen through Gustave Doré's XIXth Century eyes. No respect, man, no respect!
Famed for his love of flamboyant clothing, and his unnatural green hair, Jean de la Fontaine cut a dashing figure within XVIIth Century French society.
Jean de la Fontaine didn't care about his wig clashing with his clothes. Detail from the Disciples dressing-up party commemoration engraving.
Right side of Jean Bart's skull, photographed right after the unburying, showing the famous tattoo.]]
Elisabeth Lajoly as the Tambourine Kid and her bears. That's how she remembered her youth: she made this drawing especially for the Disciples.
Elisabeth the way she wanted to be remembered: she drew the portrait herself shortly before her death.
The Tambourine Kid seen through the eyes of a passing-by artist, who finally offered her a copy of the final engraving. A side effect of her tambourine playing?
Our Wench in action: rehearsing her Sea Snake charming routine, and preparing for battle. Her own drawing, contemporaneous this one. Mark her visionary hat model!
Molière trying to decide if he's going to shave off that butchy moustache or not...
Molière trying Longfellow's bagpipes. It sounded horrible.
Bust of Lully, looking really sore because the sculptor exaggerated his nose.
The Dutch people and His Noodlyness welcome Pjotr/Pierre in August 1697. You can see him standing in the little boat, bottom left. You can see Him floating around, top right. Drawing by Abraham Noodle Storck.
Member of the Strogov Dynasty riding for "Strogov & Sons". Prob. mid-XIXth Century.
The Strogov family during one of their regular Post Horn practice sessions.
Simon Stevin's portrait.
Felipe Romero, ready to leave his home, never to return (little did he know).
Le Nôtre, Le Veau and Le Brun artificially United by Le Brun himself. He just loved to paint in black and white, or, like the French saying goes, in "grisaille".
Nicolas Fouquet, the favorite scapegoat of Louis XIV, at an early and innocent age. Look at that smirk, soon to disappear from his face...
Jean le Vis de Nîmes demonstrating a pair of his trendy trousers. Jean did a great job showing how traditional upper-class garments could combine with trendy lower-class wear.
A young Henry Whatsyourname Longfellow, piping away despite his unbelonging to any clan. Mark the presence of a full-grown white beard, and the absence of mustache at this early age.
Henry Whatsyourname Longfellow, exactly two seconds before the noodly muse inspires him the "Empress of Thong" limerick.
Albert Nonyme in three successive states of mind: before, during and after a meal consisting of a good plate of spaghetti.
Charles Perrault seen through the peephole of Jean Bart's Paris appartment.
