Les images de l'histoire : etude sur l'histoire de la revolution de michelet et ses editions illustrees du xixe siecle
Institution:
Lyon 2Disciplines:
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Abstract EN:
This present work deals with the use and function of images in the tale of histoire de la revolution by jules michelet, studying this text together with the iconography which has been related to it in several illustrated editions of the last quarter of the xixth century. It draws a path through different imaginary landscapes which enhance the mythified representation of the french revolution, in michelet's writing as well as in the illustrations proposed later by those who claim they are his heirs. The way this imaginary representation works shows the limit of the exercise of depiction applied to the revolution, its impossible sincerity and the impossible transparency of images towards a model which they themselves cancel. Here the revolution plays the role of the origin with a primary visibility is troubled by violence and oblivion which both govern history. Measuring the undergone loss and trying to repair it, the history tale cannot come to an end. But it uses the harmonic shapes of the mythic narration and of the representation by images in order to reveal the hidden presence of the origin in the shortcomings of memory. This painful memory exercise, familiar to historians, is then justified as the only remedy against absence and the only way to figure out the unfigurable.
Abstract FR:
Le present travail s'interesse a l'usage et a la fonction des images dans le recit de l'histoire de la revolution par michelet en confrontant ce texte a l'iconographie qui lui a ete associee dans le dernier quart du xixeme siecle par plusieurs entreprises successives d'editions illustrees. Il etablit un parcours a travers les differents imaginaires qui dynamisent la representation mythifiee de la revolution, dans le texte de michelet comme dans les illustrations qu'en proposent plus tard ceux qui se reclament de son heritage. Le fonctionnement de cet imaginaire dessine la limite de l'entreprise de representation de la revolution, son impossible sincerite et l'impossible transparence des images vis a vis d'un modele dont elles manifestent par elles-memes la perte. La revolution joue ici le role de l'origine dont la visibilite premiere se trouve voilee par la violence et l'oubli qui gouvernent l'histoire. Mesurant la perte subie et tentant de la reparer, le recit d'histoire se condamne a ne pas aboutir. Mais il se sert des formes harmoniques de la narration mythique et de la representation en images pour signifier la presence en creux de l'origine dans les defauts de la memoire. Le penible travail de celle-ci, tache familiere de l'historien, s'en trouve des lors justifie comme seul recours contre l'absence et unique possiblite de figurer l'infigurable.