Louis CARROGIS, called CARMONTELLE (1717-1806) Portrait... Lot 343

Louis CARROGIS, called CARMONTELLE (1717-1806) Portrait of Jean-Benjamin de La Borde (1734-1794), first valet of the King at Versailles in front of the astronomical clock of Claude-Siméon Passemant Sanguine, black pencil and watercolor 25 x 15 cm. Slightly insolated On the back of the frame, a label with the following inscription: "Mr de la borde, first valet de chambre du Roy et fermier général. He joins to several pleasant talents an excellent heart. A very distinguished music composer, he could still pass for one of the best geographers of France. He is very much loved by the King to whom he is devoted with a kind of idolatry. Mr de la borde has just married the only daughter of Mr de Vimes, a young person full of grace, charm and gentle virtues and all the brilliant qualities of her father. This portrait was drawn by Carmontelle in 1762. This notice is from 1773. Our portrait depicts Jean-Benjamin de La Borde, a multi-talented art lover under Louis XV. He studied the violin, composed pieces, staged operas, published numerous songs and took an important place in the artistic milieu of the mid-18th century. In 1766, he became the first valet de chambre of King Louis XV. The King's chamber was in charge of the organization of the private life of the King. The position of first valet was reserved for a person close to the sovereign and his appointment in 1766 is a sign of the confidence of King Louis XV in Jean-Benjamin de La Borde. He held this position until the death of Louis XV and was replaced in 1774 by Marc-Antoine Thiery appointed by the new king Louis XVI. In our drawing, Jean-Benjamin de La Borde is represented by Carmontelle in profile, holding a key, symbol of his office as first valet to the King. In the background of our drawing we can see the famous astronomical clock by Claude-Siméon Passemant (1702-1769). It took Passemant twelve years to design it and eight years to make the sphere by establishing his own astronomical tables. The clock was presented to the king in 1750. Louis XV, very interested, bought the mechanism and asked the sculptor Jacques Caffieri to design a bronze box to house it, which would take several more years of work. In 1753, the clock was again presented to the King. It was housed in a gilded bronze case, with glass and a mirror on each of its four sides, so that the inner movements could be admired. It found its definitive place on January 15, 1754, on its marble base, in Versailles. It is in its bronze box and on its marble base that we see this famous astronomical clock. Expert : Cabinet DE BAYSER. Phone : 01.47.03.49.87 ATTENTION: LOT NOT SOLD LIVE - TELEPHONE AUCTION AND PURCHASE ORDER ONLY LOT SUBJECT TO A BANK DEPOSIT BEFORE BIDDING with pre-registration at the office and deposit of 1 500 €: Please contact our secretariat : 03 25 73 34 07 - contact@boisseau-pomez.com LOT SUBMITTED TO BANKING CAUTION BEFORE AUCTION with pre-registration at the secretariat and a deposit of 1 500 € : Please contact our secretariat: 03 25 73 34 07 - contact@boisseau-pomez.com