The Sky Over the Louvre

by Yslaire, Bernar Yslaire, Jean-Claude Carrière

In the next volume in co-edition with the Louvre museum we go back to the very origins of the Louvre as a museum: the tumultuous years of the French revolution. Its also the story of another painting, that of the young Bara, a 13 year old martyr of the Republic. From the inauguration of the Louvre, former royal palace, as the museum for the people, to the death of Robespierre, this is also the portrayal of the face to face of two major actors of a revolution in a great hurry. Robespierre appears equally enlightened and lost while David accomplishes his destiny: a painter torn between political engagement and artistic ambition. Yslaire, one the great stars of French comics, delivers a stunning masterwork in an epic and disturbing graphic novel seeped in a dramatic and fascinating period of history.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Art, Historical Fiction, Comics, France, Historical, Fiction

72 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

AKA Bernar Yslaire

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I said I was giving up on the Louvre-co-sponsored series, having read only a very few that I was really impressed with, but someone encouraged me to check this one out first (and another one with cats still on order). I am impressed with the artwork by comics artist Bernar Yslaire and admire the ambition of Jean-Claude Carrière’s story, but I still didn’t quite love it. It’s a slice of French history, the Terror, 1794, during the French Revolution, seen through the eyes of one artist.

In other words, lots of art in the Louvre pertains to historical subjects. This graphic novel imagines one artist painting one painting, that of the young Bara, a 13-year-old martyr of the Republic, making that moment in history come alive. The book also helps us understand the importance of Robespierre and David, though it kind of assumes you know a lot about the French Revolution. I think it would be a terrific companion to the study of that period.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting graphic novel -- and absolutely beautiful art! It gives a glimpse of the Terror of the French Revolution but keeps its focus on the microcosm of the attempt to create two pieces of art to celebrate the Republic. I felt a little bit like I'd been thrown in on the deep end of French history -- there are surely names & figures I was unaware of that someone born & educated in France would likely recognize on sight.

It's a short book, with no time for lingering -- once the point of a scene is made, the chapter ends, giving the book a bit of a herky-jerky feel. But the art is incredible, and read in once sitting, the chapters accumulate to create the feeling of the oppressive dread of a system run amok.

[Wendy Gardiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is co-produced by the Louvre. The vivid use of red illustrates the bloodiness of the Reign of Terror while also symbolizing (I think) the rising new republic of France. The author handles complex history without being didactic, but letting the illustrations and character devolution depict the horrific events, the control of many through terror, the distortion of reality to create a "new reality" upon which a republic can be built (art as creation/art as propaganda).

I needed to reread some history of the French Revolution to follow the story line that jumps a bit (but that could be the extreme nerd in me). Robespierre & David are central figures in this story as is the invented "Jules Stein." I think he serves to provide an omniscient perspective of the devouring/imploding force of the increasing madness of the revolution and to depict the randomness of those guillotined, particularly as the revolution nears the end and the leaders begin to turn upon themselves and others in an effort to maintain power.

[Jack Cheng]

Graphic novel about the political and theological climate around the French Revolution and Robespierre's assignment to David to paint a "Supreme Being."

I think I missed a lot of context.

The art is an appealing mix of Edward Sorel-like sketchiness and actual paintings photoshopped into backgrounds. The best part of the book, I found, had to do with the creation of art -- posing, sketching.

[Albert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had fun trying to recognize some of the reproductions and really liked the finished->sketch->script regression layout on page 48. Beyond that, this felt like a chore.

[Nathlit · Rating 5 out of 5]

8 Aout 1793, sous la Révolution Française le musée du Louvre est inauguré par Robespierre,Danton et Jacques Louis David, dit David.

"Ouvrir un musée est un devoir révolutionnaire - C'est mettre à la disposition du peuple des œuvres d'art usurpées par quelques-uns ... C'est offrir au peuple des exemples de patriotisme et de vertu. dans l'ancienne demeure des tyrans, Car la république doit se défendre par les armes, mais aussi par les idées, par les images, par les symboles, par la beauté ..."

C'est l'époque sombre de La Terreur, orchestrée par l'Incorruptible Robespierre,la veuve fait tomber les têtes. Afin de mettre en place le culte de l'Etre Suprême établie par Robespierre, David doit en réaliser le portrait, il choisit le jeune Jules Stern, originaire de Khazarie comme modèle.

Yslaire nous entraine dans les méandres du Louvres, de la Convention et son tribunal populaire. Ses dessins si expressifs, son univers sombre interpellent, il fait revivre de nombreux de chefs d'œuvre. Bande dessinée écrite en collaboration avec JC Carrière

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting!! One of the most stunning books I have read in a long time. A beautiful combination of new art mixed seamlessly with master works by Giradot, David, and others and put out by the Louvre. A wonderful and haunting story of the French Revolution from both a historical and artistic point of view. Absolutely adored it.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three things annoyed me throughout:
-The boy's preposterous uni-brow.
-The months needed translation to current names included.
-Flipping back and forth to the page that listed the actual works that appeared wouldn't have been infuriating if a grid was used to point them out on the pages with more than 3 included. Page 12 is a NIGHTMARE to decipher.

[Mahatma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yslaire maakte weer een mooie toevoeging aan zijn cyclus De hemel boven... en deze keer koos hij de Franse revolutie als zijn toneel. Robbespierre en David spelen een hoofdrol in dit epos rond de stichting van de nieuwe republiek. Leuk detail is dat Yslaire weer een Engel laat opdraven in het gedaante van Jules Stern.
Fijne afwisseling van kunst, geschiedenis en fantasie.
Ik hou van yslaires werelden.

[Fila Trece (Liantener) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunque es una visión interesante sobre el Terror en la Revolución Francesa, y el papel que jugó el pintor David en ella, trabajando desde el Louvre, me costó trabajo seguirla. Demanda que el lector esté familiarizado con los sucesos y personajes, de lo contrario hay muchas cosas que no se explican y otras que sólo se sugieren.
El arte no estuvo mal, en especial cuando se aproxima a las obras de arte, pero en la narración normal el estilo exagerado no me agradó demasiado.
Bueno a secas.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic story of a painter living in the Louvre during the French Revolution is brought to live with gorgeous artwork. The combination of pen and pencil work was excellent as well as the use of color and lighting. Frankly the art makes the book, the story is otherwise somewhat boring.

Also I do find it interesting that this is cosponsored by the Louvre Museum.

[Eveline · Rating 2 out of 5]

mooi gemaakt, maar het verhaal deed me weinig. wellicht door gebrek aan kennis over de Franse geschiedenis of het Louvre

[Alain · Rating 3 out of 5]

BD. le peintre David dans la tempête de la révolution

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volcada de chorro, muy bonito todo; el como está escrito y dibujado si que es verdad que me he enterado medio medio pero aún así por el culo.

[Armelle Fontaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of the French Revolution and seeing it from an other perspective is pretty interesting !

[Solange Guillen · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 30%
It was hard for me to follow and understand.
Maybe I should start by learning more about France’s history during the French Revolution.

[Juan José · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy chulo e interesante, y con un dibujo bastante guapardo

[Christopher Obert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel is like a piece of fine art. The story by Jean-Claude Carrière was moving and the art by Bernar Yslaire fit perfectly. I do not know much about the French Revolution but I knew that it was very bloody. I am not sure how much of this story is fact and how much is fiction but it reflected a ray of hope in a troubled time. I recommend this book because the illustrations are wonderful and the storyline intriguing.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not being very well versed in either French Revolutionary history or the art history of the period, I would be interested in knowing how much of this was fiction and how much was fact, at least regarding the central painting. Quite a good story, though not quite "comic-y" enough for me. And Jules' eyebrow was just weird, especially since he was supposed to be so angelic.

[Margot · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art work was excellent and I really enjoyed learning about the "Reign of Terror" through the graphic novel genre. Some of the explanatory pages that introduced chapters were very poorly done. The contrast between text and the background was really not sharp enough.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best graphic non-fiction books i've read in a while. librarians take note though, this one will be inviting censorship issues - the book is about art in france it has nudity - lots of it.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this graphic novel on display at the Lansdale Library and had to check it out. Louvre, David, Robespierre and more in the time of the French Revolution.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, I have no idea what to make of this book. It does bring to life the Terror (Paris, 1794) through the eyes of an artist. Great use of the graphic novel format.

[HadiDee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful graphic novel, a fabulous idea but sadly I don't know enough about the French Revolution to make sense of the plot, such as it was.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Artwork is quite lovely.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully rendered slice of French history.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful art. So interesting to follow the story of a painting.

[Aiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. At all.

[Pascale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une vision intéressante de la révolution française du point de vu d'un artiste du Louvre (David). J'ai beaucoup aimé.