French school circa 1800 The puppet showman Oil on canvas The puppet showman, oil on canvas, French School, ca. 1800 19.94 x 12.99 in. 40.5 x 33 cm Provenance: Anonymous sale; Orléans, Me Savot, 23 November 2000, no. 127 (as attributed to Jean-Baptiste Charpentier); Acquired at this sale by the current owners This painting depicts a puppet showman using his foot to operate two small dolls to the sound of his musical instrument. This famous iconography was depicted by the engraver Jacques Dumont (see Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum, RP-P-1903-A-23911). Another depiction of this street craft is in the Musée Cognacq-Jay (no. J 130). French school circa 1800 40.5 x 33 cm