The Volunteer Of 1792 - Paul Choppin 1856 - 1937

Sculptor Paul CHOPPIN Auteuil 1856 – Paris 14th, June 13, 1937 Period 1888 for the chief model School French school of sculpture Dimensions Height: approx. 35.5 cm Width: approx. 20 cm Terrace: approx. 11 an ovoid base. Note: slight accident to the left arm (rifle side)

Paul CHOPPIN chiseled his Volunteer in full action, launched into a walking movement. The rifle clutched in his left hand, he raises his right arm in a gesture of invitation as if to say “Follow me!” Join me ! Let's go defend the Fatherland! ". His expressive face is turned to the left, his mouth open in a lively song, perhaps that already famous contradance “Ah, it will be fine, it will be fine, it will be fine, the aristocrats with the lantern...? ", or this Carmagnole, the anthem of the Sans-culottes, newly created, whose words have been on everyone's lips since the Federation Day of July 14, 1790 "Let's sing our victory, Long live the sound, long live the sound, Let's sing our victory, Long live the sound of the cannon. » On April 20, 1792, the fragile republic was at war against the Austrian Empire allied with the Kingdom of Prussia. He must call on volunteers, because his new army of citizen soldiers is weak. 50,000 men were thus recruited, allowing the creation of 42 new battalions. Volunteers are recruited by department, and divided into battalions composed of 8 to 10 companies of 50 men and 3 elected officers. The armies of the coalition of the Holy Roman Empire crossed the eastern borders a few months later. They were arrested in Valmy on September 20, 1792. Little Paul's childhood was not without clouds: at the age of 2, he suddenly and completely lost his hearing. At the age of 9 (1865), his parents sent him to the National Institution for the Deaf and Mutes on rue Saint-Jacques, in Paris. This Institute, dedicated, as its name indicates, to the education of young deaf and mute people, was created by the law of July 21 and 29, 1791 following the philanthropic work of Abbot Charles de Sword (1712-1789). This exceptional man was the first to take an interest in children suffering from deafness and therefore mute. He had devoted all his energy to them, taking charge of their education free of charge.

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