“Everyone to Curtius’s Store!” The Demonstration of July 12, 1789

Event from the Morning of July 12, 1789: Curtius Delivers the Portraits of the Duke of Orléans and Mr. Necker, which are then Carried Triumphantly by the Entire City

“Everyone to Curtius’s store!” On July 12, 1789, insurgents entered the store of Philippe Mathé-Curtz, otherwise known as Curtius, who specialized in life-size wax figures. They grabbed the busts of the popular minister Necker and the Duke of Orléans in order to display their support for these two men known to be in favor of freedom. Carried in a procession to the Tuileries, these busts would be the first targets for the soldiers in the Royal-Allemand regiment, before demonstrators themselves were targeted.