Vidocq

Vidocq, the great French detective, was the first head of the French Sûreté in the 19th century. He began as a criminal himself, so knew the ways of the underworld. He was the model for Hugo's Jean Valjean, and Vidocq not only for the policeman who hounded him in Les Miserables, but also for Balzac's gothic character Vautran.

The Vidocq drawings included on the Drawings page are from a series of 20 depicting the episode with Chambreuil, which took place on summer's day in 1814. I am planning a play about Vidocq, so have been drawing the scenes of his life while thinking about the play.

Police Pursue Chambreuil the Swindler

One peaceful Sunday Vidocq was with his men on the watch in the Place du Carousel in Paris, when he recognized Chambrueil, a notorious swindler, disguised as a gentleman. Vidocq gave chase.

Vidocq and a Police Assistant arrest Chambreuil the Swindler

Vidocq chased Chambreuil and caught him. But the man he grabbed swore on all the saints that he was not Chambreuil but a respectable businessman and gentleman. He was so convincing that Vidocq's men loosened their grip on him. But Vidocq was like ten Columbos rolled into one. He knew he had nabbed a wrongun...

French Police Drag Chambreuil the Swindler into a Coach

Vidocq the great French detective is here arresting a man he believes to be Chambreuil the notorius swindler and forger. But the man swears his innocence. 'This is an outrage for which I will have ample reparation!' screams the crook. Vidocq, sure by his smart clothes that Chambreuil has recently profited from a major crime, bundles him into a hackney cab with all his strength...

Chambreuil the Swindler insists to Monsieur Henry, Director of Police, that he is not Chambreuil the Swindler but a respectable citizen, while Vidocq looks on uncomprehending
Vidocq has arrested a man he believes to be Chambreuil the nototious swindler. But the man is very convincing in his claims of innocence and seems to be convincing the director of the chateau police. Vidocq here thinks that he is about to be reprimanded and the man he is sure is Chambreuil released with apologies. But Vidocq held his ground, although Chambreuil continued with his bluff right through the trial. Chambreuil, the ex-galley slave, forger, swindler, was sentenced to hard labour for life.

	Police Pursue Chambreuil the Swindler One peaceful Sunday Vidocq was with his men on the watch in the Place du Carousel in Paris, when he recognized Chambrueil, a notorious swindler, disguised as a gentleman. Vidocq gave chase.

	Vidocq and a Police Assistant arrest Chambreuil the Swindler Vidocq chased Chambreuil and caught him. But the man he grabbed swore on all the saints that he was not Chambreuil but a respectable businessman and gentleman. He was so convincing that Vidocq's men loosened their grip on him. But Vidocq was like ten Columbos rolled into one. He knew he had nabbed a wrongun...

	French Police Drag Chambreuil the Swindler into a Coach Vidocq the great French detective is here arresting a man he believes to be Chambreuil the notorius swindler and forger. But the man swears his innocence. 'This is an outrage for which I will have ample reparation!' screams the crook. Vidocq, sure by his smart clothes that Chambreuil has recently profited from a major crime, bundles him into a hackney cab with all his strength...

	Chambreuil the Swindler insists to Monsieur Henry, Director of Police, that he is not Chambreuil the Swindler but a respectable citizen, while Vidocq looks on uncomprehending Vidocq has arrested a man he believes to be Chambreuil the nototious swindler. But the man is very convincing in his claims of innocence and seems to be convincing the director of the chateau police. Vidocq here thinks that he is about to be reprimanded and the man he is sure is Chambreuil released with apologies. But Vidocq held his ground, although Chambreuil continued with his bluff right through the trial. Chambreuil, the ex-galley slave, forger, swindler, was sentenced to hard labour for life.