Jean Siméon Chardin (1699-1779) (after) L'Aveugle, ou L'Aveugle des Quinze-Vingts. 1761. Engraved by L. Surugue. 215x342mm. Bocher 4. Fine proof on laid paper, of the 1st state (of 2), in pure etching, before the letter, carefully washed. Small fracture in the tablet, skilfully restored on verso. Other small restoration at right edge. Slanting fold in lower left corner. On verso, pencil transfer of the subject (shifted by transparency). Narrow margins. The original painting was exhibited at the Louvre in 1753, under the title Un petit tableau représentant un aveugle. "The beggar portrayed in the above engraving was well known in the last century. He was called L'Aveugle de Saint-Roch, and Piron had made a sixain for him, which he wore on his chest, engraved on a tablet. [...] The little fleur-de-lis on the blind man's coat was the mark issued by the police to the poor who were authorized to beg on the public highway. Those who wore this distinctive sign were called the King's Paupers."