November 17, 1836

Carle Vernet (August 14, 1758 to November 17,  1836) was a French artist, whose father and son were also highly regarded painters. Our Vernet said he himself was like "a Grand Dauphin, the son of a king, the father of a king, but never a king himself." But he was famous also, more for his paintings of horses, and lithographs.

The revolution in France saw his sister  executed. The famous artist Jacques-Louis David tried to intervene and save her, but Madame Chalgrin died for concealing letters to members of the aristocracy.  Vernet considered leaving the country. But as it happened his historical paintings continued popular and he was given a pension by the same government which guillotined his sibling. 

His own favorites among his work were his horse paintings. Our sources for Vernet's background were "The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin" (1958),  and also a Getty article.

Below is a lithograph of a satirical treatment of bad musicians. Carle Vernet's depiction of cats in an orchestra rewards close attention. I don't know the date but the harmony pictured may have expressed his own apprehension of public disorder also.



The palpable cacophony in his drawing is helped by the dogs dashing through the scene. Here is a detail of such. 

Notice his signature is close to a fleeing mouse. The stringed instrument nearby is bloody. Surviving revolutionary eras requires luck and talent, but Carle Vernet lived to enjoy his fame.