Hubert François Gravelot

Gravelot's design is preparatory for an engraved frontispiece illustration to Maille Dussaussoy's "Le Citoyen désinteresse, ou, Diverses idées patriotiques" (Paris : Gueffier, 1767-1768). Two allegorical female figures representing Prudence and the City of Paris are shown in front of the burning opera house. The figure of Paris is seated in an attitude of despair as Prudence gestures towards a pump and barrel. The inspiration for the design was evidently the destruction by fire of the great hall of the Paris Opera on April 6, 1763. Gravelot's design was engraved and published, with the addition of text, noting the subject as "L'Incendie de L'Opera", and commenting on the the allegorical scene: "L'Administration de la Police, Sous la Figure de la Prudence, Console le Ville de Paris, en lui montrant les secours qu'elle fait préparer." See also 1963.13:9.