Copy of an Invitation to the Bal Paré, held to Celebrate the Marriage of the Dauphin, Louis, to Infanta Maria Teresia of Spain
Anonymous, French, 18th century French
After Charles Nicolas Cochin II French
Not on view
This drawing is a close copy of an official Invitation, issued for the ball given in celebration of the marriage of Louis, sole surviving son of Louis XV, to Infanta Maria Teresia of Spain. It consists of a rectangular cartouche, decorated asymmetrically with garlands and tendrils and small trophies consisting of musical instruments and putti. In the lower left corner a coat of arms has been placed. The invitation text has been placed within the rectangular compartment, and is written in various scripts. The text is signed by De Bonneval. The author of this drawing worked very meticulously to follow the exact composition as its model. As such, it appears that it was made as a forgery, rather than a study after the print for the artist's own use and edification. This is confirmed by the presence of the outer framing lines which imitate the printing plate.
