Pierre FONTAINE (1762-1853), attributed to. "Plan... Lot 45

Pierre FONTAINE (1762-1853), attributed to. "Plan of the tribune and amphitheatre for the Champ de Mai ceremony (1815)". Large plan, in pencil, Indian ink and watercolour, showing a top view and a side view of the façade. 45 x 65 cm. B.E. First Empire period. The facade of the École Militaire is clearly recognizable. History: Georges Blond, Les Cent-Jours: It had been talked about for weeks and more, in fact since Napoleon's return to Paris. A huge machine had been built for the occasion, the architect's name was Fontaine. It was the 1st of June, the sun was shining in the blue sky, no wind, the day was going to be hot. In front of the École Militaire and with his back to it, a kind of theatre had been built on which one could see a throne, a purple armchair with a cushion for the feet. On either side of the throne, a little to the rear, was a tribune for great figures and distinguished guests. Opposite it, looking at the School, about a hundred paces away, stood a tiered amphitheatre covered with a large canvas. At the bottom of this amphitheatre, opposite the throne, was an altar, surrounded by seats for priests and musicians. The amphitheatre was open at its base so that the Emperor could, at the moment of the distribution of the eagles, leave his throne and head towards a stepped pyramidal platform, raised on the Champ-de-Mars, behind the amphitheatre.