Page 186 - Beholding Liberty!

186 BEHOLDING LIBERTY!
IΙ.1.24
French factory at Choisy-le-Roi
Revenge of a Greek family, ca. 1826-30
faience plate, diameter 20.5 cm
inscribed (caption): Vengeance d’une famille Grecque. (low centre) Hellenic Parliament Art Collection, inv. n. 445
IΙ.1.25
French factory at Choisy-le-Roi
Takeover of a Turkish boat by the Greeks, ca. 1826-30 faience plate, diameter 20.5 cm
inscribed (caption): Prise d’un navire Turc / pars les Grecs (low centre) Hellenic Parliament Art Collection, inv. n. 446
IΙ.1.26
French factory at Choisy-le-Roi
A Pasha is taken captive, ca. 1826-30 faience plate, diameter 20.5 cm
inscribed (caption): Pacha fait prisonnier. (low centre) Hellenic Parliament Art Collection, inv. n. 449
IΙ.1.27
French factory at Choisy-le-Roi
The Greeks occupy a fort defended by the Turks, ca. 1826-30 faience plate, diameter 20.5 cm
isncribed (caption): Des Grecs prenant un fort / défendu par des Turcs. (low centre) Hellenic Parliament Art Collection, inv. n. 448
THE POTTERY IN CHOISY or Choisy-le- Roi, on the banks of the Seine southeast of Paris, was founded in 1804 by the Valentin Paillart family. At the time of the Greek Revolution and later, Hip- polyte Hautin was co-owner.
Around 1826-30, they produced four series of fa- ience plates (a dozen each), with black and white floral motifs around the edge and philhellenic im- ages in the centre. The images were reproductions of 12 out of the 16 lithographs produced by the painter and printmaker Henri Charles [Karl] Loeil- lot [Loeillot-Hartwing] (1798-1864) under the title Battles for the Greek Independence, printed in 1824- 25 by Bové in Paris.
The images in these decorative plates are rendered in detail and are accompanied by inscriptions at the
bottom with information about the depicted events.
These are symbolic images of anonymous fighters for liberty, either in action or in touching episodes.
In Revenge of a Greek Family, armed Greeks, left, have set an ambush for the Ottoman horseman, right; the mother puts her hand on her baby’s mouth to ensure the element of surprise.
In Greeks Boarding a Turkish Ship, the fearless sail- ors, centre, have attacked an enemy ship, while Ot- tomans, right and left, watch in fear or flee.
In Pasha Captured, Greeks on horseback watch their comrades-in-arms present an Ottoman prisoner and their loot after the battle.
In Greeks Occupying a Fort Defended by the Turks, the Greek flag bearer captures the fortress, point- ing his pistol at the enemies, to the left.