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The theft of the La Tour Pastels from St. Quentin, Dec 1918
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The theft of the La Tour Pastels from St. Quentin, Dec 1918
Article describing the theft of the pastel work of Maurice Quentin de la Tour and showing a selection of three examples of his most famous pastel work, as well as a smaller image of a statue of the artist by Langlet which was also taken by German soldiers as they retreated from Northern France. The Sphere comments on the " burglarious and thieving instincts which form part of the [German] national character". Date: 1918
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Media ID 23268568
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Forces Germans Jul19 Leaving Pastel Pastels Quentin Stealing Stolen Theft December
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December 1918: The Burglarious Departure of German Troops from St. Quentin - The Theft of Maurice Quentin de la Tour's Pastels As the German troops retreated from St. Quentin, Northern France, in December 1918, they left behind a trail of destruction and theft. Among the valuable artworks stolen was a collection of pastels by the renowned French artist Maurice Quentin de la Tour (1691-1754). The pastels, which were housed in the town's museum, were highly prized for their delicate and expressive depictions of everyday life. Three examples of Quentin de la Tour's most famous pastels are shown here. The first, "The Music Lesson," captures the intimate moment between a young girl and her teacher. The second, "The Card Game," depicts a lively scene of friends gathered around a table, engaged in a game of cards. The third, "The Letter," portrays a woman lost in thought as she reads a letter, her emotions vividly conveyed through the artist's masterful use of color and texture. Sadly, the German soldiers did not limit their looting to the pastels alone. They also made off with a statue of Quentin de la Tour by the French sculptor Langlet, which stood proudly in the museum's entrance. The theft of these treasured works was a bitter pill for the people of St. Quentin to swallow as they began the long process of rebuilding their war-torn town. The burglarious and thieving instincts which form part of the German national character were once again on display as their troops retreated from the battlefields of World War I. These acts of vandalism and theft were a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war on art and culture.
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