Jean-Baptiste Lesueur (painter)

It was eventually purchased by the Bidault de l'Isle fsmily, who found his collection of gouaches, packed in boxes.

Although technically naïve, they are free of anachronisms, attesting to their contemporaneity, and portray women without the usual stereotypes.

A similar series of smaller figures, depicting King Louis XVI, may have been made by Lesueur's father in the 1770s.

It is believed that both sets of figures may have been intended for use in a sort of miniature theatre, as there is considerable wear, and it appears that they were mounted on sticks.

They first came to public attention in 1947, when the astronomer and politician, Georges Bidault de l'Isle [fr], loaned some to the Musée Carnavalet.