Jean Jacques Rousseau In Armenian Costume, 18th Century.

Large bronze medallion of the artist with an oval portrait in profile in cast and patinated bronze, chiseled with a tool, dark patina. Frame with bail, allegory of the performing arts, bronze with remains of gilding. Beautiful patina. Pewter setting of the medallion. Dimensions 10.6cm x 7cm. At the age of 50, Rousseau lived in Switzerland, in Môtiers, where he had to flee following the condemnation of Émile by the parliament of Paris. It was to justify himself that he then began to write his autobiography. In his retirement, Rousseau wore this long Armenian coat every day so that, by his own admission, he could, when ill, probe himself more easily: "Shortly after my establishment in Motiers-Travers, having every possible assurance that I would be left alone there, I took the Armenian habit. It was not a new idea; it had come to me several times in the course of my life, and it came back to me often at Montmorency, where the frequent use of probes, condemning me to stay often in my room, made me feel better all the advantages of the long coat. The convenience of an Armenian tailor, who often came to see a relative he had at Montmorency, tempted me to take advantage of it to take this new outfit, at the risk of what people would say, about which I cared very little. However, before adopting this new finery, I wanted to have the opinion of Madame de Luxembourg, who strongly advised me to take it. I therefore made myself a small Armenian wardrobe; but the storm excited against me made me postpone its use until more peaceful times, and it was only a few months later that, forced by new attacks to resort to soundings, I believed I could, without any risk, take this new dress at Motiers, especially after having consulted the pastor of the place, who told me that I could wear it to the temple itself without scandal. I therefore took the jacket, the caftan, the fur-lined cap, the belt; and, after having attended the divine service in this outfit, I saw no inconvenience in wearing it at my Lord Marshal's. His Excellency, seeing me thus dressed, said to me, as his only compliment, Salamaleki: after which all was finished, and I no longer wore any other dress. Extract "The Confessions, Book XII"