Acquisition of one of Carmontelle's major drawing

Discover this exceptional acquisition, presented by Elisabeth Maisonnier, Chief Curator of Heritage at the Palace of Versailles.

How was this work acquired and where is it from?

This portrait by Carmontelle was acquired at a public sale in Troyes for €53,320, fees included. According to my research, the drawing was in the hands of Parisian dealers; we could identify the last owner but not its original source.

In what way can this drawing be qualified as "exceptional" for the Palace of Versailles collections?

First of all, it is a drawing by Carmontelle, whose work is rarely found on the art market: the vast majority of his known drawings are in public collections, such as the Château de Chantilly or the Musée Carnavalet. It is even rarer that a drawing by Carmontelle depicts someone associated with Versailles and the Court, since the artist was closer to the Duke of Orleans and the circles of the Palais Royal.

There is only one other known portrait of Jean-Benjamin de La Borde, an engraving in the frontispiece of a collection of songs he composed.

Notably, Jean-Benjamin de La Borde is represented here as valet de chambre (manservant) to Louis XV, a position he held from 1762 onwards. The presence of the exceptional Passemant clock, an symbolic object of the royal apartments of Versailles, on its pedestal with its complete casing, indicates his proximity to Louis XV: La Borde had access to the royal apartments. He is holding keys in his left hand: these probably symbolize his function as concierge of the Louvre, an office he obtained the same year. But perhaps they are keys to the King's apartment...

When was this drawing created?

The work is not dated; my hypothesis is that it was made in 1762. The style corresponds to the first period of Carmontelle’s drawings: a light watercolor, with softer tones than the bright colors of later portraits. 1762 was the year he obtained the two offices of valet de chambre to the King and concierge of the Louvre, following the death of his brother-in-law, Dumarchais, who was also drawn by Carmontelle.

What role did patronage play in this acquisition?

This drawing was acquired thanks to the patronage of the Société des Amis de Versailles. When the drawing was presented to the acquisition committee in September, the Société des Amis de Versailles immediately expressed its interest.