Georges ROUGET (1783 – 1869) - François Ier pardoning the rebels of La Rochelle, January 1, 1543

Preparatory study for the painting in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de La Rochelle and for the tapestry in the Throne Room of the Tuileries Palace.

Oil on canvas

31 x 23 cm

Circa 1821

Signed lower center

Provenance :

- Descendants of the artist, listed in the painter's after-death inventory no. 55
- French private collection

Exhibition :

Georges Rouget, élève de DAVID (1783-1879), Paris, Musée de la Vie romantique, 1995, number 4.

Bibliography :

Alain Pougetoux, exhibition catalog Georges Rouget, élève de DAVID (1783-1879), reproduced p. 58

The scene of François I forgiving the rebels of La Rochelle on January 1, 1543 was painted in 1821 by Georges ROUGET (1783-1869). La Rochelle, rich in privileges, came under the authority of Charles CHABOT (1487-1559), who proclaimed himself perpetual mayor. In 1541, the Edict of Châtellerault imposed the gabelle, a tax on salt, provoking a revolt by the people of La Rochelle against Chabot and his garrison of two hundred soldiers. In a gesture of magnanimity, François I forgave the rebels, suspended the gabelle and revoked the privileges of the Porte Océane.
Rouget, a favorite pupil of Jacques-Louis DAVID (1783-1869), paid meticulous attention to the composition of his work, weighing up every detail. His preparatory study depicts François I as a warrior wearing armor and helmet, flanked by a guard. The final version, however, takes a more diplomatic turn, the helmet disappearing and a notable replacing the soldier, who is relegated to the background.

The French 19th century, considered a “constitutional laboratory”, saw Rouget answer the call of new political regimes seeking to reconnect with their historical roots. Much of his work, including the final version of our work, is on display at the Musée de l'Histoire de France in Versailles.