Explore Collections
You are here:
CollectionsOnline
/
Les dernieres paroles de J. J. Rousseau
Browse
Heinrich Guttenberg (1749 - 1818), engraver
Print after Jean Michel Moreau le jeune (French, Paris 1741 - 1814 Paris)
Print after Jean Michel Moreau le jeune (French, Paris 1741 - 1814 Paris)
Les dernieres paroles de J. J. Rousseau
c.1778
Etching and engraving
Inscription: Lettered with names of producers, title and French inscription describing the scene, bottom centre: LES DERNIERS PAROLES DE J.J. ROUSSEAU / Ma chere femme rendez moi le service d'ouvrir la fenetre afin que j'aie le bonheur de voir encor unfois la Verdure. Comme elle est belle! que ce jour est pur et serin! O que la Nature est est grande! / Voyez ce Soleil, dont il semble que l'aspect riant m'appelle: voyez voux-meme cette Lumiere immence, voila Dieu; oui, Dieu lui-meme qui m'ouvre son sien, et que m'invite enfin a aller gouter cette paix eternelle et inalterabile que j'avois tant desire ... / Mort le 2 Huillet 1778. Age de 66 Ans. a Ermenonville, distant de Paris de 8 Lieux. / A.P.D.R. / A Paris chez Vilquin M d'Estampe maison Egalite No. 191.
[The last words of J.J. Rousseau, “My dear wife, do me the favor of opening the window so that I may have the happiness of seeing the Verdure once more. She is so pretty ! How pure and serene is this day! O how great Nature is! / See this Sun, whose smiling aspect seems to call me: see for yourself this immense Light; here is God; yes, God himself who opens his bosom to me, and who finally invites me to go and taste this eternal and unalterable peace that I had so longed for..." / Died on July 2, 1778. Aged 66. in Ermenonville, distant from Paris by 8 Lieux]
[The last words of J.J. Rousseau, “My dear wife, do me the favor of opening the window so that I may have the happiness of seeing the Verdure once more. She is so pretty ! How pure and serene is this day! O how great Nature is! / See this Sun, whose smiling aspect seems to call me: see for yourself this immense Light; here is God; yes, God himself who opens his bosom to me, and who finally invites me to go and taste this eternal and unalterable peace that I had so longed for..." / Died on July 2, 1778. Aged 66. in Ermenonville, distant from Paris by 8 Lieux]
Inscription: J. J. Rousseau [centrally placed, below the image, in a cloud]
Museum number: P371
On display: Oratory (pre-booked tours only)
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
Rousseau's last words: the writer, who is sitting on a chair in his bedroom, asks his wife to open the window.
Provenance
Unknown
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk