Jacques Delorge (1733-1798), Follower Of - François-xavier Veytard, Deputy For Auvergne In 1789

- Oil on canvas. Original fabric. - The portrait of François-Xavier Veytard, made in 1861 after the original painting of 1789 by Jacques "Le Chevalier" Delorge, is inserted in the turbulent context of the French Revolution, although it already reflects the retrospective gaze of a century that observes with distance the historical processes that marked this period. In this portrait, Veytard is represented in his role as a key political figure in the last days of the Ancien Régime and the first moments of the Revolution, in a solemn pose that recalls his complex journey in the events that shook France. Veytard, deputy of the clergy at the Estates General of 1789, appears in the painting with an upright posture, which refers to his position within the Church and his involvement in the political processes of the time. His face reflects a mixture of dignity and reserve, typical of a man who played a key role in the early moments of the Revolution, while being caught between two worlds: the growing current of reforms demanded by French society and the loyalty of the monarchy and the church that he represented. In his hand, Veytard holds a letter addressed to one of the salonnières who, in the years preceding the Revolution, financed and supported his political career. This detail not only reflects the importance of the social and political networks of the time, but also underlines his connection to the reformist ideas circulating in enlightened circles, ideas that, however, did not lead him to fully align himself with the revolutionaries. The letter, which contains excerpts from his own writings, offers a moderate vision, a balance between the emerging liberalism and a latent conservatism that would oppose the excesses of the Revolution. This portrait, although executed in the style and technique of the late 18th century, carries within it the weight of the future and the events that would follow. In 1791, Veytard refused to swear an oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, a decision that brought him into conflict with the revolutionary government and distanced him from the official clergy. This position, which reflected his fear of the radicalism of the Revolution and his attachment to traditional structures, condemned him to exile and political marginalization. The painting, with its almost static character, seems to prefigure his destiny: a man who, by resisting radical change, would be forced to leave his country, eventually dying in Spain, far from the land he had served. The dark and gloomy background of the portrait recalls the atmosphere of political and social tensions that marked the end of the Ancien Régime. The light and shadow in the background serve not only to highlight Veytard's figure, but also evoke the ambiguity of his position. He was at the heart of the events that would change France, but he was at the same time a man whose loyalty to traditional principles placed him in a dangerous position, caught between the old values and the new demands of the nation. Thus, this portrait is not only a physical representation, but a reflection on the political and moral dilemma of Veytard, a man who, although surrounded by the networks of power and influence of the time, failed to find a stable place in the times. . of turmoil that engulfed the country. His refusal to accept the Civil Constitution of the Clergy and his death in exile recall the deep divisions that ran through French society at the dawn of the Revolution. - Dimensions of the unframed painting: 73 x 60 cm / 84 x 71 cm with magnificent gilded frame. - Galerie Montbaron includes a technical sheet prepared by a qualified art historian with all its lots. This form is sent in digital format and on request.