Studies for Distribution of Eagles: The Archi-Chancelier, Cambacérés and the Archi-Trescrier, Lebrun is a pivotal drawing by Jacques-Louis David, the celebrated French Neoclassical master (1748-1825). Created between 1805 and 1815, this preparatory work relates directly to David’s monumental, though ultimately unfinished, state commission documenting the Distribution of the Imperial Eagles ceremony of 1804.
The drawing captures two key figures in Napoleon's First French Empire: Jean-Jacques-Régis de Cambacérès, the Archi-Chancelier, and Charles-François Lebrun, the Archi-Trescrier. These officials held high constitutional posts and were central participants in the political and ceremonial life of the Imperial court. The composition focuses on defining their formal postures and the elaborate details of their robes of office, essential elements for their inclusion in the final grand scene.
David executed the study using black crayon on off-white laid paper, which was later edge mounted onto cream wove paper for structural stability. The meticulous application of crayon highlights the artist’s commitment to capturing volume and texture, demonstrating the classical rigor characteristic of French academic drawing. The contrast achieved in the medium was necessary to resolve the complexities of light and shadow before translating the figures to the large-scale canvas.
As a significant document relating to one of the most ambitious Neoclassical projects of the Napoleonic period, this drawing is a valuable part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection. The precision seen in this piece illuminates David’s dedication to historical accuracy and his role in propagating the image of the newly established empire in France. This and other related works often enter the public domain, ensuring the enduring study and appreciation of David's preparatory drawings.
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