The answer (I think) to why the bathtub looks like a shoe. In all seriousness, it's 'pudeur' -- modesty. The Revolutionaries couldn't stand the idea that Charlotte - a young unmarried woman -- had seen Marat exposed in the bath, let alone that she assassinated him in it. There are other engravings where they put Marat, fully clothed, on a couch during the murder for this same reason - the bathtub was just too exposed, too vulnerable, too salacious. So the shoe bathtub covers up all the privates in appropriate ways. This is also why he's fully dressed. It's clear that this engraving is pro-Revolutionary because they call Marat a patriot (there were others that landed more on the side of Corday). I'm working now on a project on this time period in which Corday and Marat figure big. I saw the David portrait this summer in Brussels - it's incredible. Happy to chat about this more in DM. Loved your post!!
"My often overlooked philanthropy is evidenced by the overly generous commission I paid Bob Fosse after relenting to his constant pleadings to choreograph me in the
How fab was this Allison?! The build-up in the images/captions alone was worth the read. Also it was excellent writing and I now feel fully informed on Marat who I had until now only thought of as “ dead, possibly French, bloke in bathtub”. I am enlightened, many thanks.
Those last three paintings and their commentary! Definitely saved the best for last. Also the “chorus-heavy opening number of a musical” comment really made me chuckle!
You just absolutely never miss. The hyena pitch of my laughter could be heard, I'm sure, throughout my neighborhood.
Thank you for sharing your radiant brainwaves with us. I feel like I need to take you with me everywhere and ask your opinion of everything, because life would be all the more delightful for it.
This was absolutely wonderful! I'm trying to chuckle quietly at work, but I keep getting weird glances so I must not be succeeding. I've listened to Mike Duncan's Revolutions podcast about Marat and his end, but it was more dry wit than full color commentary.
[[Part of this I can explain: Marat had a debilitating skin condition...]]
When I had the thought, "o hey, that sounds like hidradenitis superativa! he should talk to his doctor about (pharmaceutical product I once wrote banner ad copy for)!" It reminded me both that I have no idea how I landed in a career of advertising copywriter for big pharma and that I really really have got to find a way out of this pit of despair.
maybe there's an opening in dilettantism in my city
Wait... is that... is that AL PACINO relaxing in his bed, waiting for a certain horse's head to transpire in The Godfather, Part 1793?
Incredible. Thank you especially for "Smells like Guillotine Spirit" which has delighted me to an unseemly level.
The answer (I think) to why the bathtub looks like a shoe. In all seriousness, it's 'pudeur' -- modesty. The Revolutionaries couldn't stand the idea that Charlotte - a young unmarried woman -- had seen Marat exposed in the bath, let alone that she assassinated him in it. There are other engravings where they put Marat, fully clothed, on a couch during the murder for this same reason - the bathtub was just too exposed, too vulnerable, too salacious. So the shoe bathtub covers up all the privates in appropriate ways. This is also why he's fully dressed. It's clear that this engraving is pro-Revolutionary because they call Marat a patriot (there were others that landed more on the side of Corday). I'm working now on a project on this time period in which Corday and Marat figure big. I saw the David portrait this summer in Brussels - it's incredible. Happy to chat about this more in DM. Loved your post!!
I should have known you would have a real and interesting answer! I would never have guessed "shoe of modesty" but that makes so much sense.
“Shoe of modesty” - this is the best. A phrase that we must now all endeavor to use in interesting ways.
Ha, yes. But…misogyny. And many of the revolutionaries were rather ascetic. Strange (and horrifying) times.
Yeah, love how women were on the front lines of the revolution but when it came time to write the new laws, oops, sorry ladies.
Exactly. So well said.
"My often overlooked philanthropy is evidenced by the overly generous commission I paid Bob Fosse after relenting to his constant pleadings to choreograph me in the
Robespierre/Danton painting."***
-That is going to fill in the gaps in the knowledge of Marat for all the people who only know him because Charlotte knocked him off.
-“I had a thought today and now I’m gonna make it everyone’s problem.” Said Donald Trump, every day of his life...
How fab was this Allison?! The build-up in the images/captions alone was worth the read. Also it was excellent writing and I now feel fully informed on Marat who I had until now only thought of as “ dead, possibly French, bloke in bathtub”. I am enlightened, many thanks.
Those last three paintings and their commentary! Definitely saved the best for last. Also the “chorus-heavy opening number of a musical” comment really made me chuckle!
You just absolutely never miss. The hyena pitch of my laughter could be heard, I'm sure, throughout my neighborhood.
Thank you for sharing your radiant brainwaves with us. I feel like I need to take you with me everywhere and ask your opinion of everything, because life would be all the more delightful for it.
This is very amusing and satisfying to someone like me who loathes Marat. Thank you!
This was absolutely wonderful! I'm trying to chuckle quietly at work, but I keep getting weird glances so I must not be succeeding. I've listened to Mike Duncan's Revolutions podcast about Marat and his end, but it was more dry wit than full color commentary.
Thank you Allison. Brilliant as always.
What a great read! My brain needed this like a hole in the head.
Your descriptions of complete and utter dirtbaggery never disappoint. Thank you!
Beautiful read, as always. Thank you.
Well, he was somewhat clean when he died. That’s something.
[[Part of this I can explain: Marat had a debilitating skin condition...]]
When I had the thought, "o hey, that sounds like hidradenitis superativa! he should talk to his doctor about (pharmaceutical product I once wrote banner ad copy for)!" It reminded me both that I have no idea how I landed in a career of advertising copywriter for big pharma and that I really really have got to find a way out of this pit of despair.
maybe there's an opening in dilettantism in my city