A poulard plucking cook from the Cris de Paris series

The preparatory drawing comes from the French painter and designer Christophe Huet, who likely created it for his brother and business partner, the leading Parisian porcelain dealer of his time. It was included in the large commission for the 34 Cris de Paris figures and remains in the porcelain manufactory to this day. The same applies to the almost equally large and contemporary commission for the Monkey Orchestra, which centered on Huet’s main artistic theme—Singeries (monkeys engaged in human activities).

Huet’s panels featuring Singeries, created for the palaces of Madame Pompadour, the Prince de Condé, and the Duke of Rohan, are particularly renowned. The preparatory drawing is labeled in both French and German:
"No. 28 CH – A cook plucking a rooster – No. 18 1753 – Cuisinier qui plume une poularde" (quoted from Reinheckel in Weltkunst 9, 1992, p. 1165, No. 13a).

Comparative examples:

• Eberle No. 30 = Metz, April 25, 2009, No. 43, €16,000
• Exhibition catalog 2010, No. 437
• Sammellust, Öttger Collection catalog, 2003, No. 112
• Exhibition catalog 1997, Wurm Collection, No. 112
• Schorr Collection, Christie’s Geneva, May 13, 1984, No. 111
• Burda Collection, No. 54