Denis-Pierre-Jean Papillon de la Ferté
Encyclopedia
Denis-Pierre-Jean Papillon de la Ferté (Châlons-en-Champagne
17 February 1727 — Paris
7 July 1794) was a connoisseur of art and an administrator (an Intendant and from 1763 the sole Intendant) of the Menus-Plaisirs du Roi
, the organization in the royal household (the Maison du Roi
) that was responsible for the design and presentation of fêtes and ceremonies, weddings and funerals, at the court of France, beginning with his appointment in 1756. Even after the coming of the Revolution
, he was retained until 1792, to oversee the more overtly Republican events of what had always been political as well as cultural statements; in producing them, the conflicts among the dukes who were Gentilhommes de la Chambre, to whom Papillon de la Ferté reported and among whom he served as diplomat and peacemaker, also played a role. He was a victim of the Reign of Terror
in 1794.
He was the son of Pierre Papillon de la Ferté (ca. 1682-1753), seigneur de la Ferté, président trésorier of the généralité of Champagne, the King's Lieutenant of Châlons.
His remarkable longevity in a position that was concentrated in his person in 1762, spanning two reigns and the change in taste from rococo
to neoclassicism
, in music as well as the visual arts, is testament to his ability and character. His Journal, published in 1887,, gives an insight not only into the workings of the Menus-Plaisirs, but the Comédie française and the Comédie-Italienne
, and also the music at court and the Opéra
, and the Intendant 's role, reforming, rationalizing and redefining the official structure, encouraging artists of every kind, the model of the modern arts administrator
.
He was inspired to keep the journal by which he is intimately known in possible support of his future self-defence, a "preservative against the Bastille
" as he would jokingly remark to the Premiers Gentilhommes de la Chambre to whom he reported, reassuring them that otherwise it would never see the light of day, for he entered his position following the scandal of malfeasance of his predecessor, M. de Curis.
Châlons-en-Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne is a city in France. It is the capital of both the department of Marne and the region of Champagne-Ardenne, despite being only a quarter the size of the city of Reims....
17 February 1727 — Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
7 July 1794) was a connoisseur of art and an administrator (an Intendant and from 1763 the sole Intendant) of the Menus-Plaisirs du Roi
Menus-Plaisirs du Roi
The Menus-Plaisirs du Roi was, in the organisation of the French royal household under the Ancien Régime, the department of the Maison du Roi responsible for the "lesser pleasures of the King", which meant in practice that it was in charge of all the preparations for ceremonies, events and...
, the organization in the royal household (the Maison du Roi
Maison du Roi
The Maison du Roi was the name of the military, domestic and religious entourage around the royal family in France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration; the exact composition and duties of its various divisions changed constantly over the Early Modern period...
) that was responsible for the design and presentation of fêtes and ceremonies, weddings and funerals, at the court of France, beginning with his appointment in 1756. Even after the coming of the Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, he was retained until 1792, to oversee the more overtly Republican events of what had always been political as well as cultural statements; in producing them, the conflicts among the dukes who were Gentilhommes de la Chambre, to whom Papillon de la Ferté reported and among whom he served as diplomat and peacemaker, also played a role. He was a victim of the Reign of Terror
Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror , also known simply as The Terror , was a period of violence that occurred after the onset of the French Revolution, incited by conflict between rival political factions, the Girondins and the Jacobins, and marked by mass executions of "enemies of...
in 1794.
He was the son of Pierre Papillon de la Ferté (ca. 1682-1753), seigneur de la Ferté, président trésorier of the généralité of Champagne, the King's Lieutenant of Châlons.
His remarkable longevity in a position that was concentrated in his person in 1762, spanning two reigns and the change in taste from rococo
Rococo
Rococo , also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th-century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly ornate, florid, and playful...
to neoclassicism
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
, in music as well as the visual arts, is testament to his ability and character. His Journal, published in 1887,, gives an insight not only into the workings of the Menus-Plaisirs, but the Comédie française and the Comédie-Italienne
Comédie-Italienne
Over time, there have been several buildings and several theatrical companies named the "Théâtre-Italien" or the "Comédie-Italienne" in Paris. Following the times, the theatre has shown both plays and operas...
, and also the music at court and the Opéra
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
, and the Intendant 's role, reforming, rationalizing and redefining the official structure, encouraging artists of every kind, the model of the modern arts administrator
Arts administration
Arts Administration is the business end of an arts organization responsible for facilitating the day-to-day operation of the organization and fulfilling its mission...
.
He was inspired to keep the journal by which he is intimately known in possible support of his future self-defence, a "preservative against the Bastille
Bastille
The Bastille was a fortress in Paris, known formally as the Bastille Saint-Antoine. It played an important role in the internal conflicts of France and for most of its history was used as a state prison by the kings of France. The Bastille was built in response to the English threat to the city of...
" as he would jokingly remark to the Premiers Gentilhommes de la Chambre to whom he reported, reassuring them that otherwise it would never see the light of day, for he entered his position following the scandal of malfeasance of his predecessor, M. de Curis.