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Jacques de Falaise, street entertainer who ate anything
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Jacques de Falaise, street entertainer who ate anything
Jacques de Falaise, street entertainer who ate anything. He is shown eating a live mouse, holding a snake, while an assistant receives a dagger and rose from the audience. Handcoloured engraving from Pierre de la Mesangeres Le Bon Genre, Paris, 1817
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Media ID 23194524
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Dagger Eater Entertainer Falaise Genre Jacques Lifestyle Mesangere Napoleonic Pierre Regency Satirical Snake
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1. Title: "Jacques de Falaise, the Polyphagic Street Entertainer: A Feast of Satire and Spectacle in Napoleonic Paris" Amidst the bustling streets of Paris during the Napoleonic Empire and Regency era, Jacques de Falaise, a renowned street entertainer, captivated onlookers with his extraordinary ability to consume the most unusual and unexpected items. This handcoloured engraving from Pierre de la Mesangère's Le Bon Genre, published in 1817, immortalizes a moment in Jacques's performance, where he showcases his audacious talent by eating a live mouse while holding a snake. The image reveals Jacques, with a determined expression, biting into a mouse, his eyes locked on the audience. His assistant, in contrast, stands calmly, receiving a dagger and a rose from a spectator. The juxtaposition of the violent and the romantic elements underscores the satirical and ironic nature of the performance. The fashionably dressed crowd, a testament to the opulence and extravagance of the era, watches in awe and amusement. The satirical undertones of the print are further emphasized by the title "Le Polyphage," which translates to "the man who eats many things." This moniker not only highlights Jacques's unique talent but also alludes to the excesses and indulgences of the time. The engraving, with its intricate details and vibrant colours, offers a glimpse into the world of satirical fashion and entertainment during the Napoleonic era. It serves as a reminder of the role street performers played in shaping the cultural landscape and providing a source of amusement for the masses. In this image, Jacques de Falaise transcends the boundaries of the ordinary, offering a feast for the senses and a moment of intrigue and wonder. His performance, a testament to human endurance and the power of spectacle, continues to captivate and fascinate viewers even today.
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