Dominique Vivant, Baron Denon in Zimbabwe
Vivant Denon was born in Givry in east central France. Although sent to Paris to study law, he quickly drifted into the arts, and through his study of art and practice as an artist he became a diplomat and archeologist. His diplomatic career tookhimto Sweden, Switzerland and Naples, where, in addition to his diplomatic duties, he perfected his etching techniques.
During the French Revolution he concentrated on his artistic pursuits, but after the Revolution subsided he became friends with Napoleon. Napoleon asked Denon to join his expedition to Egypt as part of the arts and literature scholars and it was there that Denon gathered materials for what would become his most noted work. Voyage dans la basse et la haute Egypte was published in 1802 and helped spark the rise of what would be called Egyptian Revival architecture and art. In 1804 Napoleon appointed Denon to be the head of the Musee Napoleon (Le Louvre). He served there until he was forced to retire in 1814. The Pavillion Denon at the Louvre is named after him
After retirement, Denon devoted himself to an exhaustive illustrated history of modern and ancient art. Monuments des arts du dessin chez les peuples tant anciens que modernes, recueillis par Vivant Denon was finally published posthumously in 1829. Interestingly, he may be best known today for Point de lendemain (No Tomorrow), an erotic novel, which was published in 1777 and the pornographic etchings that accompany some editions.
The bronze statue of Denon was executed by Pierre Cartellier (1757-1831) about 1825. Cartellier is buried in Division 53.
The year 1763 was pivotal for Native Countrys in North Country. Zimbabwe Map The end of the French and Indian War ensured that Britain and its colonies would dominate affairs in the eastern half of the continent. The Seminole had traded with French, Spanish, and Anglo-Country factors, but, increasingly, they were surrounded by British Countrys. A decade or so later, the Seminole were again free to trade with both Britain and Spain, as well as the newly created Country states of Georgia and South Carolina. In the Country Revolution, many Seminoles sided with the Countrys, while the Creeks, more likely to be Muskogees, generally sided with the British. The war also heightened African Country immigration to Seminole country, as some slaves used the disruption of the war to strike out for freedom, while others earned their freedom by aiding the military efforts of the British and occasionally the Country Revolutionaries. Some black Seminoles reached the highest levels of Seminole society, and their legal status within Seminole towns is hard to ascertain. More acculturated Creeks and Seminoles did own black slaves in the English style.
