Gazette Drouot logo print

Carmontelle Immortalizes the Valet of Louis XV in Front of the King's Favorite Clock

Published on , by Vanessa Schmitz-Grucker
Auction on 01 October 2022 - 09:00 (CEST) - 1, rue de la Paix - 10000 Troyes

Known for his profile portraits of the great and not-so-great at the French royal court, Carmontelle was also the mastermind behind the Duc d’Orleans' festivities, and collaborated with the multi-talented artist Jean-Benjamin de La Borde, First Valet of the King’s Bedchamber.

Louis Carrogis, aka Carmontelle (1717-1806), Portrait of Jean-Benjamin de La Borde... Carmontelle Immortalizes the Valet of Louis XV in Front of the King's Favorite Clock

Louis Carrogis, aka Carmontelle (1717-1806), Portrait of Jean-Benjamin de La Borde (1734-1794), First Valet of the King’s Bedchamber at Versailles, in front of Claude-Siméon Passemant’s astronomical clock, red chalk, black pencil and watercolor, 1762, 25 x 15 cm/9.8 x 5.9 in.
Estimate: €8,000/12,000

An inscription on the back of the work clearly states the identity of the man posing in profile: "Mr de La Borde, premier valet de chambre du Roy et fermier général". It also tells us that Jean-Benjamin de La Borde was a "multi-talented art lover during the reign of Louis XV". He was close to the French king and was appointed first valet…
This article is for subscribers only
You still have 85% left to read.
To discover more, Subscribe
Gazette Drouot logo
Already a subscriber?
Log in
Saturday 01 October 2022 - 09:00 (CEST) - Live
1, rue de la Paix - 10000 Troyes
Ivoire Troyes - Boisseau-Pomez
Read articles about the sale
Pre-sale

In this gouache, early 17th-century German painter Johann König paid tribute to the patron saint of Bohemia, Sigismond.