Paul Philidor

Paul Philidor (17??–1828/9), also known as Paul de Philipsthal, was a German performer of entertainment séances in the style that would soon become known as phantasmagoria. Philidor's origins are unclear, as is his exact identity; it is believed that he took his name from François-André Danican Philidor.

Biography

The idea of séances was in its infancy in the 18th Century, particularly in a public setting. Johann Georg Schröpfer had first used magic lanterns to add a visual dimension to his performances, projecting ghostly images into smoke.^[1] Philidor used many of Schröpfer's techniques along with conjuring tricks copied from Joseph Pinetti^[2] and, making use of the recently invented Argand lamp,^[1] produced a show that could more easily be seen by large audiences. His first public performances were in Berlin in 1789 but were soon disbanded when Freiherr von der Reck, director of one of the city's theatres, attempted to expose his fraudulent claims of supernatural power. Philidor moved on to Vienna in 1791 where his show would run for a year.^[3] In respect to the man whose idea he had expanded, Philidor called his show "Schröpferesque Geisterscheinings" (Schröpfer-style ghost appearances).

Shows in Paris

In January 1793, several years into the French Revolution, Philidor moved to Paris where the audience were particularly open to the idea of seeing their dead heroes.^[4] However, with tensions running high and Philidor's shows increasingly making political references it was not long until he found himself in trouble with the authorities. Philidor made references to well-known revolutionaries of the day, making Maximilien Robespierre, Georges Danton, and Jean-Paul Marat appear as if they were the devil.^[5] He was arrested for allegedly depicting the rise of Louis XVI to heaven, though he claimed that this was simply a mistake by one of his assistants.^[6]

Shows in London

Philidor moved to London under the assumed name of Paul de Philipsthal, continuing his shows. Just as Philidor had been inspired by Schröpfer, his own methods were observed here by Belgian Étienne-Gaspard Robert,^[4] who combined what he had seen with his own skills in optics and painting. By refining the performance and the technologies Robert created the first true phantasmagoria show.

In October 1801 Philidor set up a permanent exhibition at the Lyceum Theatre, London.^[3] By this time Philidor's shows had moved away from theatrics and into scientific demonstrations, no longer attempting to fool the audience members into believing that the apparitions were real. In an opening speech, Philidor would make it clear that these phantasmagoric images are purely for entertainment. This was in keeping with the growth of the fascination with science at the time^[7] and the more widespread availability of magic lanterns. Philidor also displayed and demonstrated a variety of automata and mechanical devices.

After a short break Philidor reopened his show with the wax museum of Marie Tussaud alongside. Tussaud had left France to join up with Philidor, who agreed to allow her to associate with his fame for half of her profits. She would go on to travel Great Britain and Ireland until settling down for a permanent exhibition on Baker Street in 1835.^[8]

Death

Philidor died in 1828 or 1829 leaving behind a wife and daughter.^[9]

References