Art, Fashion, & The French Revolution

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Published 2021-07-27
A look into one of history’s most well known but least understood figures, using art to tell his story. Resources below!

🥖 Janelle’s work
IG: www.instagram.com/smileyfaceorg/
Tumblr: janellefeng.tumblr.com/

🍋 Find me here:
IG: www.instagram.com/lemoncholy_/

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:56 The Fashion
02:09 The History
03:55 Evil
08:47 Good
11:33 Neutral
14:12 Results + Final Remarks

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FURTHER READING
This video is very much a starting point. Here are some resources that are more academic in nature:

🎙️ "Revolutions" open.spotify.com/show/05lvdf9T77KE6y4gyMGEsD?si=v6…
In Season 3, Mike Duncan chronicles the chaos of the French Revolution into clear and engaging narrative.

🎞️ “Was Robespierre wicked?”    • Robespierre était-il méchant ?  
Informational video that uses up-to-date work from French historians (English subs available).

📚 “The Robespierre Problem” h-france.net/Salon/McPheeedited.pdf
A look into Robespierre’s posthumous reputation, historiography, and a good list of historians to check out.

📚 “Rethinking the French Revolutionary Terror” h-france.net/Salon/SalonVol11no16.1.Introduction.L…
Common misconceptions about the era, with analysis through emotional and semantic lenses.

📚 Palmer, R. R., and Isser Woloch. Twelve Who Ruled: the Year of the Terror in the French Revolution. Princeton University Press, 2017.
Good English source about the revolutionary government and the role each of its members played.

💄 Pretty Gentlemen: Macaroni Men and the Eighteenth-Century Fashion World, by Peter McNeil, Yale University Press, 2018.
Detailed information on mid-18th century menswear including analysis of the fashion and its significance in society.

👠 Standing TALL: The Curious History of Men in Heels artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/BQJSZR_j5AhtLA
Lots of cool visuals + brief commentary on men's footwear.

🔥 Hot French Revolution Drama    • La Révolution Française - I Knew You ...  

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MUSIC from Louie Zong
swaying branches louiezong.bandcamp.com/track/swaying-branches
inner workings louiezong.bandcamp.com/track/inner-workings
luminescent louiezong.bandcamp.com/track/luminescent

All Comments (21)
  • @lemoncholy
    This video was unusual for me to make: it was an attempt to integrate art with more academic disciplines, but it was also about getting a chance to collaborate with an artist I admire. I tried something new, but I'm not sure if the format worked. Was the scope too big? Was it interesting to watch? I'd love to hear your thoughts (because I really enjoyed putting this together and hope to continue making vids that are more than just drawing tips). <3, Michelle
  • @HowardWimshurst
    I'm just so happy that this video now exists yes, the format worked a treat. I'd love to see more like this!
  • @cryzz0n
    I lowkey wanna see a Marie Antoinette version of this... the three versions could be like the gorgeous glutton for luxury items, the simple 'country girl' deluding herself in her personal farmhouse in midst of the Revolution, and the true version who was a misunderstood lonely princess who wanted to live her life regardless of the strict social structure that Versailles thrusted upon her Amazing video btw! I love how dramatic the evil ver is with Louboutin cape
  • @caleblee1780
    Im a teacher, and this level of instruction is incredibly beautiful and interesting. This is history as it should be, can be, ambitiously taught. I aspire to be close
  • @sethdouglas4982
    this video is INSANE i feel like i should be paying for this
  • @HundreadD
    If Robespierre's life was fiction, it would probably be considered an excellent and almost textbook literary tragedy. That it actually happened in real life, how someone who once opposed the death penalty instituted the Terror, how an avowed pacifist eventually presided over what was the largest war in history at the time, how a simple lawyer along with the people of France toppled a thousand year old tyrannical institution in 3 years just to be called tyrant himself, and how at the very end he was robbed of the voice that made his career, is something that's almost too extraordinary to be true. In the end though despite everything I have to go with Napoleon's judgement that he did emerge superior to the throng and essentially saved the revolution from disintegration. Anyone who can steer a nation through a chaotic year like 1793 when France had to fight a European war and civil war at the same time and somehow have the nation emerge even stronger has my grudging respect
  • Your "Good" design for him makes him seem like Anna from Frozen. Curious, joyful, ever the optimist. It feels so different when compared to his "Evil" design, which gives off a feeling of being in a dramatic horror novel from the early 1800's. Its like I'm looking at a perfect representation of Jekyll and Hyde. One side looking pure and kind, but underneath is a dark, cruel, murderous personality that only his victims see. I love the representation you use in your art, and your style of art is elegant and beautiful as well. I would love to see this as a TV show.
  • @lululala1535
    I am literally in love with your style of presenting.
  • @rat-in-the-void
    "he looked like a cat drinking vinegar" I'm obsessed with this description
  • @ering916
    i love how this video promotes the message that history isn't a one-sided story. it's a complex one full of diverse characters with rich backgrounds and reasons behind their actions that we cannot completely articulate. nobody is truly a villain in history; like you said, it's the most well known but least understood that are portrayed this way. every person has a bad side and a good side. Not only that, but the presence of a "neutral" side allows us to find balance between different elements of our background, experienced and personality while reflecting who we truly are, what we aspire to be, and the things we've done.
  • @Kaczucha12
    The way you tell his story, The research, THE ART, MY GOD THE STORYTELLING IN THE ART
  • @user-yx6er7de1b
    Man, im stunned. this was such a cinematic masterpiece. art, information, audio, editing, just everything was amazing! you are such a blessing and one of my fav content creators. this format is also so creative and fresh, a feast for both intellect and artists. its also great to see an artist who doesnt shy away from putting in the proper research and actually seems to be interested in acquiring knowledge since theres usually this stereotype of artists being bad at school :-p i would LOVE more videos like these!
  • @olivianisle705
    As a history major, I come back to this video every so often. Not only do you possess a great style of presenting and teaching, it's one of the most beautiful and expert ways to meld two different content areas. The expert way in which you detail different artists perspectives on a historic figure is so fascinating. You're very well spoken, and well organized. Everything is clean, clear-cut, and your process is very thorough. It makes me feel as though I am watching a master artist crafting something extraordinary. What excitement, what beauty!
  • @Urkako1234
    This video is SO aesthetically pleasing and interesting loved every second of it please make more like this one !!!
  • @the_enby_geek
    I'd love to see these designs in a historical show, basically showing Robespierre starting off as a hero, but becomes the villain as the series goes on
  • The Evil Robespierre's cape concealing a rich, royal, red lining actually plays really well into how he's often (mis)characterised by those who see him as The Villain - a man pretending to adhere to progressive ideals, while becoming the very type of despotic leader he had condemned. In a story leaning towards this narrative, this visual element would illustrate his betrayal of the revolution's beliefs. Just a cool thing I noticed
  • @crispyein8601
    Janelle’s work is so out of this world, I’ve been in love with it ever since the Warm Welcome short film! I’ve never seen people draw characters with such elegance :D
  • @Cyril_The_Weird
    The evil design is so hauntingly beautiful and simple, y'all are geniuses
  • En tant que français passionné par la période révolutionnaire, je ne peux que m'enthousiasmer pour votre projet! Les trois versions de Robespierre sont magnifiques et je trouve que la version neutre est la plus aboutie. Félicitation pour votre travail passionné, votre art est magnifique , ravi que vous le mettiez au service de l'histoire de France!