12410 Robert Benard (1734–1777) – Farrier and Operator: Forge Work and Tools – Engraving (c. 1770–1780)

This plate belongs to the "Arts et Métiers" section of the Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, edited by Denis Diderot. This monumental Enlightenment work was the first of its kind to provide such detailed visual descriptions of manual labor and industrial processes, aiming to elevate the status of the mechanical arts. Robert Benard, as the director of the engraving department, ensured that the illustrations were technically accurate and clearly presented, making them invaluable historical records of pre-industrial technology.

Robert Benard was a French engraver who specialized in technical and scientific illustration during the eighteenth century. He served as the primary engraver for the Académie Royale des Sciences and the director of the engraving department for Diderot's Encyclopédie. His body of work is characterized by a precise and methodical linear style that was ideally suited for documenting complex mechanical trades and natural history specimens. Benard is credited with overseeing the production of over two thousand plates that contributed to the global dissemination of French Enlightenment knowledge.

Artist or Maker: Robert Benard.

Dimensions: Approximately 29 cm x 40 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: (Late 18th Century).

Condition Report:

This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.