#directoire

[cy-lindric]

Now that I'm back from being hacked for skincare scam profits I can show you this 1790s waistcoat I've made !! First pic is the extant piece I've loosely based it off.

[marzipanandminutiae]

in looking at fashion plates while pondering Ye Olde Pixie Cut (one of two acceptable hair options for 19th-century adult female characters in period dramas if they're out in public, IMO, the other being Put That Goddamn Hair Up In A Becoming And Personally Expressive Manner Right Now) I found this lady from an 1808 edition of Costume Parisien who shows up at your party and starts playing Wonderwall on the pianoforte

[vintagehomecollection]

This award-winning room is unmistakably French - whether in Directoire, Empire, or contemporary style... The Directoire reproduction bed from Paul M. Jones Inc. is made of brushed steel with polished brass trim; it is outfitted with a simple linen from Alan Campbell.

Interior Visions: Great American Designers and the Showcase House, 1988

[robespapier]

'Saw a Directoire hat for real and I know we joke about them looking like flower pots but in truth they also look like mushrooms

[digitalfashionmuseum]

Cream Muslim Dress, ca. 1798, French.

Musée des Arts Décoratifs Paris.

[empirearchives]

Save me un-manipulable man, underestimated calculating man save me

[nesiacha]

you mentioned that carnot went behind the others' backs to wage a war of conquest, would you mind talking about that a little more? i don't know that much about carnot and his war opinions but i would like to! thank you for your excellent posts :)

Before discussing Carnot's actions during wartime, it's essential to understand his political journey, as it inherently shapes his conduct during conflicts. He exhibits a true weathercock attitude, common among politicians of his era (and persisting today), although not as extreme as someone like Fouché.

Initially allied with the Girondins on war-related issues, he maintained this stance while also voting for the King's death, similar to the Montagnards, and advocating for progressive taxation. Personally, I view his alliance with the Montagnards as opportunism that persisted throughout his life, unlike Couthon, whose allegiance to the Mountain seemed more genuine, but this is solely my perspective. His ideas of war of conquest to better pillage, they will be constant throughout his life.

Later on, Carnot found himself at odds with Saint-Just, particularly regarding wartime strategy. Contrary to popular belief, Carnot could be more decisive than Saint-Just in matters of punishment even if Saint Just established army discipline with others.

While Carnot did a decent job in terms of armament, the ideas of Saint-Just and others significantly contributed to improving the army and securing victories. Saint-Just's encouragement of fraternity among soldiers, requisitioning shoes from aristocrats to distribute to barefoot soldiers who fought without shoes, and his equal treatment of generals and soldiers, instauring fraternity , and the courage to put himself in the front on the front line which earned him admiration including his enemies like Marc Antoine Baudot, boosted troop morale.

Moreover, there was a replacement of generals genuinely motivated to ensure the army's victory because some generals with affiliations to royalists, aristocratic backgrounds, or little sympathy for the Republic lacked the commitment to save France. Carnot failed to address these issues, despite opportunities.

One might argue that Carnot's physical presence in Paris to coordinate operations was necessary, but his interference with specialists on the ground hindered progress.

Regarding the question of Fleurus, a significant victory for the French Republic, Carnot's actions trouble me deeply. He demanded a reduction in Jourdan's army by 18,000 men, issuing the order behind Saint-Just's back, with plans for these troops to serve under General Pichegru and plunder Rhin. Saint-Just intercepted and canceled the order, preventing a potential defeat at Fleurus. These actions occurred without the knowledge of his colleagues deputies who advocated for French armies to remain within natural borders.

To support my claims, here is an excerpt from Saint-Just's last speech:

"In the absence of this member, a military expedition, which will be judged later because it cannot yet be made known, but which I consider insane given the prevailing circumstances, was conceived. Orders were given to draw, without informing me or my colleagues, 18,000 men from the Army of Sambre-et-Meuse for this expedition. I was not informed, why? If this order, given on the 1st of Messidor, had been executed, the Army of Sambre-et-Meuse would have been forced to leave Charleroi, perhaps to withdraw under Philippeville and Givet, and to abandon Avesnes and Maubeuge. Shall I add that this army had become the most important?

The enemy had brought all its forces against it, leaving it without powder, cannons, or bread. Soldiers died of hunger there while kissing their rifles. An agent, whom my colleagues and I sent to the Committee to request ammunition, was not received, which would have flattered me had he been, and I owe this praise to Prieur, who seemed sensitive to our needs. Victory was necessary, and we achieved it.

The Battle of Fleurus contributed to opening up Belgium. I desire justice to be done to everyone and victories to be honored, but not in a manner that honors the government more than the armies, for only those who are in battles win them, and only those who are powerful benefit from them. Victories should therefore be praised, and oneself forgotten'".

Strangely, whereas Saint-Just spares Billaud-Varennes even if he critize him, Carnot is rightly put back in his place for his actions. He should have been at least fired to the moment when he make order on the back of his colleagues for this such action . In these period generals could have been executed for less than that. General Hanriot ( mistreated by history too), who effectively contained Parisian excesses through persuasion and not repression ( indication of good competence) , opposed Carnot's plan to strip Paris of his gunners, indicating Carnot's interference in matters beyond his expertise. I admit it was a free tackle against Carnot that one.

Skipping over the events of the Thermidorians, Carnot's adept political maneuvering aligns him once again with the right and its wars of conquest were able to continue being free from any important opponent in this matter during the period of Directoire. He becomes one of the five directors, earning the nickname "Organizer of Victory." However, this title is both pompous and false, as Carnot's contributions were not singular. He carried out violent repression against the Babouvists and accepted Napoleon's pardon, serving as Minister of War under the Consulate, despite his opposition to the creation of Napoleon's empire and was marginalized for it within the government. During the Hundred Days, Carnot's weathercock attitude contrasts with Prieur's steadfastness, ultimately resulting in his exile without ever returning to France because of the statut of regicide ( too bad that the punishment was the same for Prieur de la Marne). Why am I more indulgent to Prieur de la Marne than Carnot?

I mean that Prieur opposed Napoleon and his coup d'état on 18 Brumaire to the point of being dismissed immediately. It seems that he mainly adhered to the hundred days of Napoleon for fear of a new restoration of the Bourbons. Carnot accepted the title of Minister of the Interior and was made a count. Big difference for me.

In conclusion, Carnot's conquest wars cost France dearly, morally and pragmatically, potentially favoring the emergence of a military dictator, the end of the French Revolution and facilitating the restoration of the Bourbons. It's regrettable that he didn't heed his colleagues' advice on this matter. This is solely my opinion, and I apologize to Carnot's admirers ( once again it's okay to contradict me) . All information provided is drawn from sources like Albert Ollivier, Soboul, etc. You can explore revolutionary portraits on the Veni Vidi Sensi website for further insights.

P.S.: Thank you for the compliment on my posts; I strive to offer the best insights drawn from historians and contemporaries.

[marblegauze]

Portrait of Renée Vivien by Otto Wegener circa. 1900

[chic-a-gigot]

Le Petit écho de la mode, no. 7, vol. 11, 17 février 1889, Paris. 1. Toilette en voile de laine beige et tissu uni bleu ciel; — 2. Toilette en lainage noir et rouge. Modèles de Mlle Thirion, 47, boulevard Saint-Michel, Paris.) Ville de Paris / Bibliothèque Forney

1. Toilette en voile de laine beige et tissu uni bleu Nil. — Jupe unie recouverte d'une draperie en voile froncée à la taille relevée à droite sous un des plis creux qui forment le pouf. Corsage court garni de draperie de voile encadrant un plastron finement plissé. Col rond drapé garni d'un volant en pareil. Ceinture en surah nouée derrière en deux pans longs. Manche finement plissée bouffante, au bas volant serré par un ruban.

2. Toilette en lainage noir et rouge. — Jupe unie en tissu rouge bordée de petits lacets noirs et d'un motif en passementerie. Deuxième jupe plissée coupée en coquillé à gauche, bordée d'une haute passementerie noire. Corsage Directoire à basque longue découpée sur les côtés garnie de poches bordées d'un biais rouge. Les devants sont garnis de revers en pareil et de gros boutons en passementerie. Gilet rouge garni passementerie, revers garnis de même. Gilet drapé à l'int��rieur maintenu par une broche. Manche à coude garnie de revers rouges et d'une draperie en même tissu.

—

1. Dress in beige wool voile and plain Nile blue fabric. — Plain skirt covered with a veil drapery gathered at the waist raised on the right under one of the box pleats that form the pouf. Cropped bodice trimmed with voile drapery framing a finely pleated bib. Draped round neck trimmed with a similar ruffle. Surah belt tied behind in two long sections. Finely pleated puffy sleeve, with flounced bottom tightened by a ribbon.

2. Dress in black and red wool. — Plain skirt in red fabric edged with small black laces and a trimming pattern. Second pleated skirt cut in shell on the left, edged with high black trimmings. Directoire bodice with long peplum cut out on the sides trimmed with pockets edged with red bias. The fronts are trimmed with similar lapels and large trimming buttons. Red waistcoat trimmed with embroidery, lapels trimmed in the same way. Vest draped inside held by a brooch. Elbow sleeve trimmed with red cuffs and drapery in the same fabric.

[ic-napology]

Murat in all his gorgeousness and better quality (and Napoleon's embarassed eyeroll as well)

[francepittoresque]

19 mai 1802 : institution de la Légion d’honneur ➽ http://bit.ly/Creation-Legion-Honneur L’article 87 de la constitution consulaire portait « qu’il serait décerné des récompenses nationales aux guerriers qui auraient rendu des services éclatants en combattant pour la république », réservant donc la distinction aux militaires

[saint-jussy]

....Barras is listed under "LGBT politicians from France" 😭😭

[e-ziara]

Naturalist outfit (pt.3) 🌱🌷🌿 no ribbons lol

[artemagistra]

The French cavalry take the battle fleet caught in the ice in the waters of Texel, 21 January 1795 by Charles Louis Mozin

[digitalfashionmuseum]

Oil Painting, 1798-1799, France.

By Jacques Louis David.

Portraying Henriette de Verninac in a white dress and yellow shawl.

Musée du Louvre.

[empirearchives]

18th Brumaire

Coup d'Etat des 18-19 brumaire an VIII : Bonaparte menacé par les députés du Conseil des Cinq-Cents, Saint Cloud, le 10 novembre 1799.

Artist: Jean Baptiste Lesueur