One of the leading art critics and theoriticians of the Beau Idéal, Quatremère de Quincey led a very active political life during the French Revolution. He was imprisoned during the Terreur and exiled during the conspiracy of Vendémiaire. He fought the royaliste cause and became in 1814, with the return of the Bourbon monarchy, one of the Royal Censors. He was however famous for an essay written in 1790 on the art of draughtsmanship, Les Considérations sur les Arts de Dessin, for which he is still remembered today.
The Vernet family knew Houdon well. Carle Vernet met Houdon at the Lycée, later called the Athénée des Arts, a club where scientists, artists and architects used to meet during the Révolution and the Directoire.