Young Communards in Prison (Les Fédérés à la Conciergerie)

Gustave Courbet French

Not on view

Courbet was arrested for his alleged role in the destruction of the Vendôme Column following the defeat of the Paris Commune in June 1871. He was initially jailed in the Conciergerie, where he must have executed this drawing showing two very young fellow prisoners in a graffiti-marked cell. He submitted the drawing for reproduction in the journal "L’Autographe" in September, perhaps aiming to solicit sympathy for the Communards facing trial. He dedicated the drawing to Léon Brigot, one of few lawyers who defended Communards, including the artist.

Young Communards in Prison (Les Fédérés à la Conciergerie), Gustave Courbet (French, Ornans 1819–1877 La Tour-de-Peilz), Black chalk, stumped

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Young Communards in Prison (Les Fédérés à la Conciergerie), Gustave Courbet (French, Ornans 1819–1877 La Tour-de-Peilz), Black chalk, stumped
Young Communards in Prison (Les Fédérés à la Conciergerie), Gustave Courbet (French, Ornans 1819–1877 La Tour-de-Peilz), Black chalk, stumped
Young Communards in Prison (Les Fédérés à la Conciergerie), Gustave Courbet (French, Ornans 1819–1877 La Tour-de-Peilz), Black chalk, stumped

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.