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Portrait of French balloonist Sophie Blanchard during her flight in Milan, Italy, 1811. Artist: Luigi Rados
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Portrait of French balloonist Sophie Blanchard during her flight in Milan, Italy, 1811. Artist: Luigi Rados
Portrait of French balloonist Sophie Blanchard during her flight in Milan, Italy, 1811. Sophie Blanchard (1778-1819) was the wife of ballooning pioneer Jean-Pierre Blanchard. She made over 60 ascents, surviving losing consciousness, freezing temperatures and almost drowning after landing in a marsh. She became a favourite of Napoleon, who appointed her Aeronaut of the Official Festivals in 1804. The flight in Milan she is pictued making was to commemorate the Emperors 42nd birthday. Blanchard was killed in 1819 during an exhibition in the Tivoli Gardens in Paris when fireworks she set off ignited the gas in her balloon, causing it to crash. From a private collection
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Media ID 14884935
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Aeronaut Aeronautics Aviation Aviator Ballooning Balloonist Blanchard Flight Lombardy Luigi Milan Sophie Rados
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the fearless French balloonist, Sophie Blanchard, during her historic flight in Milan, Italy in 1811. The talented artist Luigi Rados beautifully portrays Blanchard as she stands confidently in her exquisite dress, embodying grace and determination. Blanchard's remarkable story unfolds within this image. As the wife of ballooning pioneer Jean-Pierre Blanchard, she fearlessly embarked on over 60 ascents throughout her career. Her resilience was tested numerous times as she faced losing consciousness, freezing temperatures, and even a near-drowning experience after landing in a marsh. Renowned for her bravery and skill, Blanchard became a favorite of Napoleon Bonaparte himself. In fact, he appointed her Aeronaut of the Official Festivals in 1804. The flight depicted here was specifically undertaken to commemorate the Emperor's 42nd birthday. Tragically, Blanchard met an untimely end during an exhibition at Paris' Tivoli Gardens in 1819 when fireworks ignited the gas within her balloon causing it to crash. This rare portrait from a private collection allows us to glimpse into the extraordinary life of Sophie Blanchard - an aviation pioneer who defied societal norms and pushed boundaries with unwavering passion. Her legacy lives on as one of history's most courageous women aviators whose contributions continue to inspire generations to come.
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