12409 Robert Benard (1734–1777) – Horlogerie: Workshop Operations for Clock Mainsprings – Hand-coloured engraving (c. 1770–1780)
"Horlogerie, Ressorts de Pendule, différentes Opérations de l'Art de faire les Ressorts de Pendule, Développemens et Outils". This large-format engraving is divided into two distinct sections documenting the manufacture of clock springs. The upper register provides a rare interior view of an eighteenth-century workshop (atelier), showing various craftsmen engaged in the heating, hammering, and tempering of steel. To the right, a worker tends a forge, while others utilize specialized benches and long metal strips. The lower register functions as a technical schematic, illustrating the specific tools used in these processes, including mallets, calipers, winding mandrels, and a detailed cross-section of a heavy-duty workbench vice.
This plate was produced for the "Histoire Naturelle" and "Arts et Métiers" sections of the Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, the monumental Enlightenment project led by Denis Diderot. The Encyclopédie was revolutionary for its detailed visual documentation of industrial processes, aiming to demystify secret trade techniques for the public good. Robert Benard, as the director of engraving, was responsible for maintaining the scientific accuracy and visual consistency of these plates, which remain some of the most important 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: Hand-coloured 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.
| Värdering | 300 - 400 SEK |
| Köparprovision (inkl. moms) | 24.4% |
| Slagavgift (inkl. moms) | 6 SEK |
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