Art, Fashion, & The French Revolution

A look into one of history’s most well known but least understood figures, using art to tell his story. Resources below!

🥖 Janelle’s work

🍋 Find me here:

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:56 The Fashion
02:09 The History
03:55 Evil
08:47 Good
11:33 Neutral
14:12 Results + Final Remarks

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FURTHER READING
This video is very much a starting point. Here are some resources that are more academic in nature:

In Season 3, Mike Duncan chronicles the chaos of the French Revolution into clear and engaging narrative.

Informational video that uses up-to-date work from French historians (English subs available).

A look into Robespierre’s posthumous reputation, historiography, and a good list of historians to check out.

Common misconceptions about the era, with analysis through emotional and semantic lenses.

📚 Palmer, R. R., and Isser Woloch. Twelve Who Ruled: the Year of the Terror in the French Revolution. Princeton University Press, 2017.
Good English source about the revolutionary government and the role each of its members played.

💄 Pretty Gentlemen: Macaroni Men and the Eighteenth-Century Fashion World, by Peter McNeil, Yale University Press, 2018.
Detailed information on mid-18th century menswear including analysis of the fashion and its significance in society.

Lots of cool visuals + brief commentary on men's footwear.

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MUSIC from Louie Zong

[lemoncholy]

This video was unusual for me to make: it was an attempt to integrate art with more academic disciplines, but it was also about getting a chance to collaborate with an artist I admire. I tried something new, but I'm not sure if the format worked. Was the scope too big? Was it interesting to watch? I'd love to hear your thoughts (because I really enjoyed putting this together and hope to continue making vids that are more than just drawing tips).
<3, Michelle

[rat-in-the-void]

"he looked like a cat drinking vinegar" I'm obsessed with this description

[alisha_]

This is what Christmas must feel like.

[cryzzn]

I lowkey wanna see a Marie Antoinette version of this... the three versions could be like the gorgeous glutton for luxury items, the simple 'country girl' deluding herself in her personal farmhouse in midst of the Revolution, and the true version who was a misunderstood lonely princess who wanted to live her life regardless of the strict social structure that Versailles thrusted upon her

Amazing video btw! I love how dramatic the evil ver is with Louboutin cape

[lululala]

I am literally in love with your style of presenting.

[olivianisle]

As a history major, I come back to this video every so often. Not only do you possess a great style of presenting and teaching, it's one of the most beautiful and expert ways to meld two different content areas. The expert way in which you detail different artists perspectives on a historic figure is so fascinating. You're very well spoken, and well organized. Everything is clean, clear-cut, and your process is very thorough. It makes me feel as though I am watching a master artist crafting something extraordinary. What excitement, what beauty!

[HundreadD]

If Robespierre's life was fiction, it would probably be considered an excellent and almost textbook literary tragedy. That it actually happened in real life, how someone who once opposed the death penalty instituted the Terror, how an avowed pacifist eventually presided over what was the largest war in history at the time, how a simple lawyer along with the people of France toppled a thousand year old tyrannical institution in 3 years just to be called tyrant himself, and how at the very end he was robbed of the voice that made his career, is something that's almost too extraordinary to be true. In the end though despite everything I have to go with Napoleon's judgement that he did emerge superior to the throng and essentially saved the revolution from disintegration. Anyone who can steer a nation through a chaotic year like 1793 when France had to fight a European war and civil war at the same time and somehow have the nation emerge even stronger has my grudging respect

[sethdouglas]

this video is INSANE i feel like i should be paying for this

[joannassienkiewicz]

The Evil Robespierre's cape concealing a rich, royal, red lining actually plays really well into how he's often (mis)characterised by those who see him as The Villain - a man pretending to adhere to progressive ideals, while becoming the very type of despotic leader he had condemned. In a story leaning towards this narrative, this visual element would illustrate his betrayal of the revolution's beliefs. Just a cool thing I noticed

[caleblee]

Im a teacher, and this level of instruction is incredibly beautiful and interesting. This is history as it should be, can be, ambitiously taught. I aspire to be close

[HowardWimshurst]

I'm just so happy that this video now exists
yes, the format worked a treat. I'd love to see more like this!

[pennydesrosiers]

Your "Good" design for him makes him seem like Anna from Frozen. Curious, joyful, ever the optimist. It feels so different when compared to his "Evil" design, which gives off a feeling of being in a dramatic horror novel from the early 1800's. Its like I'm looking at a perfect representation of Jekyll and Hyde. One side looking pure and kind, but underneath is a dark, cruel, murderous personality that only his victims see. I love the representation you use in your art, and your style of art is elegant and beautiful as well. I would love to see this as a TV show.

[safegourd]

this video fits my niche perfectly — its got history, historical fashion, character design, animation, pretty much everything im interested in. if i were to make a yt channel i would want to make videos like this. i would love to see this become a series, if you’re interested in making more!

[slowly]

We literally NEED more shows, movies, and animations set in the 1700s because that time was such an interesting time with the fashion, art, etc. I would love to see shows that show the daily life of people in that time, the rich, poor, whatever, because theres NOTHING that could make you bored when it comes to fancy gentlemen and ladies with 10 feet tall hair😚

[ering]

i love how this video promotes the message that history isn't a one-sided story. it's a complex one full of diverse characters with rich backgrounds and reasons behind their actions that we cannot completely articulate. nobody is truly a villain in history; like you said, it's the most well known but least understood that are portrayed this way. every person has a bad side and a good side. Not only that, but the presence of a "neutral" side allows us to find balance between different elements of our background, experienced and personality while reflecting who we truly are, what we aspire to be, and the things we've done.

[lexk]

It's interesting that the "neutral" form you settled on is a cool jade colour, an opposite to the hues of red used in both good and evil. It really makes the two sides stand out, yet, look somewhat similar in their colours at least. Cool!

[emma]

I can't be the only one who after watching this is wondering why animated historical dramas aren't more of a thing?

[aidanking]

I must say, as a history buff and aspiring writer with no sense of fashion, I applaud your ability to seamlessly blend personal psychology and historiography with fashion while keeping it engaging and informative for laymen like myself. This is a masterclass in thought process, collaboration, and execution through and through. Obviously, it’s your channel and you can do what you like, but I’d love to see more profiles of this sort for people ranging from Machiavelli and Shakespeare to Ibn Battuta and Ashoka.

Either way, fantastic job!

[crispyein]

Janelle’s work is so out of this world, I’ve been in love with it ever since the Warm Welcome short film! I’ve never seen people draw characters with such elegance :D

[yxerdeb]

Man, im stunned. this was such a cinematic masterpiece. art, information, audio, editing, just everything was amazing! you are such a blessing and one of my fav content creators. this format is also so creative and fresh, a feast for both intellect and artists. its also great to see an artist who doesnt shy away from putting in the proper research and actually seems to be interested in acquiring knowledge since theres usually this stereotype of artists being bad at school :-p i would LOVE more videos like these!