The Unfortunate Calas Family

Currently not on view

The Unfortunate Calas Family

1765

Jean Baptiste Delafosse (French, 1721–1806) After a drawing of 1765 by Carmontelle (Louis Carrogis) (French, 1717–1806)

In October 1761, the son of Jean Calas, a Protestant merchant from Toulouse, committed suicide. Rumors that Calas had murdered his son for wanting to convert to Catholicism led to Calas being condemned, tortured, and executed. Among those outraged by the injustice of the Calas case was the philosopher Voltaire, who mounted an international campaign to pressure the French monarchy to alter its verdict posthumously. Jean Calas's conviction was overturned in June 1764 and he was declared innocent the following year. This print was commissioned to be sold by subscription to raise money for the Calas family, portrayed here.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Titles:

The Unfortunate Calas Family
La Malheureuse Famille Calas

Date:

1765

Artists:

Jean Baptiste Delafosse (French, 1721–1806) After a drawing of 1765 by Carmontelle (Louis Carrogis) (French, 1717–1806)

Medium:

Etching and engraving

Dimensions:

Plate: 14 11/16 x 19 1/16 inches (37.3 x 48.3 cm) Sheet: 16 5/16 x 21 15/16 inches (41.5 x 55.8 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

The Muriel and Philip Berman Gift, acquired from the John S. Phillips bequest of 1876 to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, with funds contributed by Muriel and Philip Berman, gifts (by exchange) of Lisa Norris Elkins, Bryant W. Langston, Samuel S. White 3rd and Vera White, with additional funds contributed by John Howard McFadden, Jr., Thomas Skelton Harrison, and the Philip H. and A.S.W. Rosenbach Foundation, 1985

Accession Number:

1985-52-24183

Geography:

Made in France, Europe

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Currently not on view