The Saint-Germain Fair - Louis-Nicolas Van Blarenberghe
Description
A fire destroyed the fair's facilities on the night of March 16, 1762, the year before Van Blarenberghe produced the miniature. It was quickly rebuilt at the end of 1762, in a different form, and reopened on February 3, 1763, when a first theatrical performance was given.
Van Blarenberghe paints here, in the old Fair, the Nicolet theater. The "Nicolet" sign above the large pedimented door can be seen in the center.
To the right of the main auditorium, a puppet show, announced by a red banner ("LES MARIONNETTES | ... PAREILLES | ... BIENFAIT"), is visible through a glass door. Nicolas Bienfait was the leading producer of puppet shows at the time (the father until 1750, the son until 1762, the grandson at least until 1772).
More to the right, you can go up a staircase and pay for another show, "LE GRAND ESCAMOTEUR CHINOIS".
On the left, a gallery of paintings is displayed for sale.
.- Signed and dated upper left "V. Blarenberghe | 1763".
- The miniature was originally mounted on the lid or bottom of a gold oval box.
Technical Data
Notice #024856