125 - Jean-Urbain GUERIN (Strasbourg 1761 - Obernai 1836)

Jean-Urbain GUERIN (Strasbourg 1761 - Obernai 1836) Left profile portrait of Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès (Fréjus 1748 - Paris 1836) Black pencil and stump 14.5 x 11.8 cm Lined on an old mount, editor's stamp (L.172) lower center Slightly oiled, small stains Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès, abbé and influential intellectual, played a crucial role during the French Revolution. In 1789, he published the famous pamphlet Qu'est-ce que le Tiers État? in which he argued that the Tiers État, representing the majority of the population, was the true nation and should have significant political power. This text galvanized revolutionary sentiments and encouraged members of the Tiers État to demand their rights. Sieyès was also a key player in the formation of the National Assembly, helping to draft the Constitution of 1791, which established a constitutional monarchy. However, his influence really grew after the fall of Robespierre in 1794. In 1795, he became a leading member of the Directoire, advocating a more authoritarian approach to political instability. His role culminated in the coup d'état of 18 Brumaire (November 9, 1799), which he orchestrated with Napoleon Bonaparte. Sieyès hoped to establish a stable regime, but Napoleon quickly took control, leaving Sieyès in the background.