Joseph Caraud (1821-1905)
Rare Antique Engraving LOVIS XVI LA FORGE DU DE ...

Rare Antique Engraving LOVIS XVI LA FORGE DU DE PALAIS VERSAILLES [Louis XVI at the forge at Versailles]

Rare Antique Line Engraving Entitled LOVIS XVI LA FORGE DU DE PALAIS VERSAILLES [LOVIS XVI AT THE FORGE OF THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES] after Joseph Caraud (1821-1905) [L/L - Peint Par J. Caraud]; Engraved by Joel (John) Ballin [L/R - Gravé par Ballin] | Depicts French King Louis XVI at the forge at the Palace of Versailles; the King stands by the window, at left, and is working on a key; his jacket and hat lie on an armchair behind him; and in the background, a blacksmith (presumably the King's blacksmith named Gamin) feeds the fire; anvil at right. Louis XVI was an amateur blacksmith | Published: Paris: Goupil / Knoedler & Co, 1867.

Literature

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1870-1210-279

Provenance

Stan Henkels, Collection of Engraved Portraits, Philadelphia, PA, November 1915, 703

Notes

Louis XVI had only two interests, hunting and amateur blacksmithing. A small forge was installed above his private library to indulge the King in his pursuit of this particular hobby. Here there were two anvils and every tool that could possibly be needed was available. As it happened, locks were of a particular interest to Louis. The room was filled with all kinds of locks: common locks, hidden locks and elaborately gilded locks. The château's blacksmith by the name of Gamin was employed to teach the King all he knew. See http://thisisversaillesmadame.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-king-at-forge.html