Augustin-Louis Belle

However, after he went to Rome, he was unable to enter the Academy of France due to lack of space.

It was not until 1785 that he was given room and board, courtesy of his relative, the engraver Charles-Nicolas Cochin, who exerted his influence to get him in.

For some unknown reason, his lodgings were searched during the affair involving Count Cagliostro.

As one of his first acts, he gathered together tapestries that contained Royal coats-of-arms and other symbols of the Monarchy and burned them at the Liberty Tree [fr], in what he considered to be a show of support for the Revolution.

He was also able to negotiate and come to terms with the workers at the Manufactory who had gone on strike to protest being paid in assignats.