Gravure de F. Godefroy d’après Jean-Michel Moreau le Jeune

"Example of humanity given by Madame la Dauphine on the 16th of October 1773" representing the Dauphine Marie-Antoinette consoling the wife of the winegrower Pierre Grimpier who was wounded by a deer during a hunt in the village of Achères in the forest of Fontainebleau on the 16th of October 1773 (*) - the anecdote made the news. In a gilded wooden frame of the period. On the back: red wax seal with the coat of arms of Brittany surmounted by the motto "Potius Mori". Smudging in the upper left corner. H. 19 x W. 27 cm (when viewed). Related works An example in the Carnavalet Museum (inv. no. G.38229), another example preserved in Versailles (INV. no. GRAV 932) and presented at the exhibition "Louis XV à Fontainebleau" at the Château de Fontainebleau (April 2 - July 4, 2016) [The etching presented is the 6th print of this engraving on which appear Marmontel's verses and the dedication to Marie-Thérèse at the arms]. (*) Episode reported by Mercy-Argenteau to Marie-Thérèse: "On the 16th of October, Mme la dauphine being in a carriage and accompanying the king on a hunt, a very unfortunate accident occurred. The deer, being hotly pursued by the dogs, jumped into an enclosure that the owner was busy cultivating. The animal, seeing no way out, became furious and ran at the farmer, hitting him twice with its antlers, one in the thigh and the other in the body, and thus knocking him down mortally wounded in the square. No one was near the dogs, all the veneurs were nearly a quarter of a league away; the wife of the unfortunate wounded man with two of her companions had arrived at the noise, and, seeing the disaster which had occurred, this woman, seized with despair, ran towards a troop of hunters whom she saw in the distance; it was the king and his retinue. She cried out for help, announcing the misfortune of her husband, and at the moment she fell unconscious. The king, having ordered that she be cared for, and after having given signs of compassion and kindness, went away; then Mme. the Dauphine, who had arrived, got down from her carriage, ran to the woman, and made her breathe in some eau de senteur, by means of which she recovered from her fainting spell. It was a great pleasure for me to be able to give her all the money she had on her, but what was most admirable were the words of consolation and kindness which Her Royal Highness said to this poor creature. At last the Archduchess, touched and moved, shed tears, and at that moment she caused more than a hundred spectators to shed them, who surrounded her and remained in a state of immobility caused by the astonishment and admiration of a scene so unique and so touching. Then, having brought her carriage forward, Madame la Dauphine ordered the peasant girl and her two companions to be driven back to their cottages, which were in a small hamlet nearby. S. A. Her Royal Highness waited in the square for the return of her carriage; she inquired about the aid given to the wounded man, who at first seemed unable to return. M. le Dauphin had witnessed all that had happened; he gave what money he had on him, and behaved very well, as did Mme. la Comtesse de Provence, who was also present. It was at least very clear that all the good that had been done had been decided by the example of Mme. la dauphine, and I could not express to V. M. the full extent and vivacity of the sensation which this event occasioned, not only among all the people of the court, but much more among the people of Fontainebleau and of the vicinity, who for several days crowded into the places where they hoped to see Mme. la dauphine pass. The public of Paris, informed of the circumstance, appeared excessively moved by it, and there is only a cry of joy and admiration when there is mention of Mme. the archduchess. »