SECTION OF THE FIFTEEN-TWENTY. - Lot 288

Lot 288
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SECTION OF THE FIFTEEN-TWENTY. - Lot 288
SECTION OF THE FIFTEEN-TWENTY. Handwritten circular addressed to the fifty citizens comprising the Section of the Fifteen-Eighty for the civic celebration in honor of René Descartes. Paris, March 25, 1792 (Year IV of Liberty), 2 folio pages. A very rare handwritten circular issued by the president of the committee of the Section of the Fifteen-Eighty, one of the forty-eight revolutionary sections of Paris, inviting active citizens to prepare for the solemn reception of the remains of René Descartes. The document begins: “The president of the committee of the Quinze-Vingts Section to the fifty active citizens of your section...” It announces the imminent arrival of: “the remains of Descartes...” and invites the citizens to gather in order to organize a grand civic celebration. The author emphasizes that the Paris Commune expects every citizen to pay a tribute worthy of the philosopher: “...the entire Paris Commune eagerly awaits them to demonstrate, through every citizen of the capital...” The letter calls on citizens to deliberate on the honors to be bestowed upon the philosopher and presents a line of thought very characteristic of the revolutionary spirit: “The French must honor those who serve their country only after their death. ” It is dated: “Paris, March 25, 1792, Year IV of Liberty” and signed by the section president, before a handwritten list of the summoned citizens was affixed to the reverse side. Historical Context This document is directly linked to the decree of the Legislative Assembly of March 26, 1792, ordering the transfer of René Descartes’ remains to Paris in order to bestow upon him national honors comparable to those already granted to the great men of the Revolution. Since 1667, the philosopher’s remains had been kept at Saint-Germain-des-Prés, following their return from Sweden, where Descartes had died in 1650. The Revolution sought to establish Descartes as one of the great precursors of freedom of thought and modern philosophy. The Parisian sections were invited to participate in the civic ceremonies organized to welcome his remains. This document is one of those preparatory summonses. Historical Significance This circular perfectly illustrates the political role played by the Parisian sections in the early months of the Revolution. It attests to the revolutionary authorities’ desire to incorporate the great philosophers of the Enlightenment into the new civic cult. The reverse side preserves the handwritten list of citizens from the section summoned to participate in this deliberation, lending the document additional prosopographic interest. Condition Some marginal discoloration and small, old tears. Very legible handwriting. In good overall condition.
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