Charles Gabriel Sauvage Lemire (1741-1827) "silene Succulenta Forsk", Ink Wash, Egypt

Charles Gabriel Sauvage LEMIRE (1741-1827) "Silene succulenta forsk", ink wash, 35 x 25 cm which is approved on the back by Gaspard Monge probably during the Egyptian campaign from which the plant originated. Stamp of collection (Henri Leroux?). Monge and Bonaparte: Egypt (May 1798 – October 1799) Since he knew of the Egyptian expedition project from the end of 1797, Monge carefully avoided mentioning it in his correspondence with his wife, who suspected a new estrangement that she dreaded above all after the 18 months of absence in Italy. Bonaparte in Paris came to visit her, announcing his decision and asking for her consent, which she repeatedly refused. She finally relents with the promise that he would return safe and sound after four months. Although Bonaparte had made preliminary lists of scholars he wanted for this expedition in consultation with Monge, the latter could not get involved in recruiting them, which Berthollet was able to do in Paris and by having the choices validated. by Caffarelli du Falga. We know many details of this expedition through the extensive correspondence exchanged between Monge and his wife throughout the expedition, which borders on the feat given the remoteness and uncertainty of the couriers by sea. Party of Civitta Vecchia with Desaix and his troops, he eventually found Bonaparte and the rest of the squadron off Malta. Arrived in Egypt, after the difficulties of landing Monge and Berthollet are involved in the clash of Chebrerys on July 13, 1798 and Bonaparte testifies to the Directory of their courageous conduct. On July 24, after entering Cairo, Bonaparte appointed a provisional administrative commission to set up the governance of the new Egypt. It is composed, unsurprisingly, of Monge and Berthollet. On August 1, Nelson's fleet destroyed the French fleet at Aboukir. On August 2 Bonaparte founded the Cairo Institute under the leadership of Monge, Berthollet and Caffarelli. On August 20, the first session is held which defines the organization and the members. Monge was named president on August 23. On September 1, Monge, Berthollet and Costaz are charged with reselling the spoils of Malta and Cairo and transforming the gold and silver into currency. They are appointed as coin inspectors. On September 25, at the foot of the pyramids, Bonaparte launched a challenge: who will arrive first at the top? Against all odds, Monge, the dean of the troop, agile as a young man arrives first at the top. On October 6, Monge gave the end-of-year exam to the young polytechnicians whom he had trained in the adventure, before a jury which included Fourier, Costaz and Corancez. On October 21, the population of Cairo revolted against the French. Monge organizes the defense of the Institute, makes the shot and galvanizes his colleagues. Bonaparte, returning from an expedition to the banks of the Nile, crushes the revolt. In December, he created the French School of Cairo which has a hundred students. From December 24 to January 7, he participated with Bonaparte and a group of scholars and soldiers in a reconnaissance of the old Suez Canal. At the beginning of February, Bonaparte set off for Syria, always accompanied by his favorite scholars, without the reason for their presence being very clear. In front of Saint-Jean-d'Acre, Monge begins to feel the effects of dysentery which is decimating the ranks of the expeditionary force. It was certainly typhoid fever which kept him bedridden for three weeks. Bonaparte visits it regularly. It begins to recover upon retirement. During the return to Egypt in May, he perceives the frank hostility of the soldiers towards the scholars, who are accused of having been the inspiration of the expedition. Some who do not know him think that Monge and Berthollet are only one person (Monge-et-Berthollet) as their two names are always associated. Alarmed by information which seemed to indicate the imminence of the resumption of hostilities in Europe, Bonaparte decided to plan his rapid return to France. On June 21, 1799, he had the ships prepared in secret to make this project a reality. Around August 15, Monge and Berthollet were privy to the secret and had great difficulty in concealing it, their change of attitude having been observed by all their companions. They left Cairo on August 17 and arrived safely in Saint-Raphaël on October 9, the trip having been disrupted by several periods of headwinds. Monge finally arrives in Paris on October 16. He had been gone for twenty months.