Allegorie sur la Convalescence du Dauphin 1752

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin's etching, "Allegorie sur la Convalescence du Dauphin" (1752), celebrates the recovery of the Dauphin (the future Louis XVI) from an illness. The artwork is a complex allegory, featuring figures such as Aesculapius, the god of medicine, and the Virtues of Prudence and Justice. The scene takes place in a grand hall, with a crowd of people gathered at the bottom, symbolizing the joy of the nation for the Dauphin's health. This engraving is a fine example of the Rococo style, known for its ornate details and emphasis on sentimentality.