Besnier Collection

Jardin des Plantes, Paris, 1904 (watercolour and pencil on paper)
651375 Jardin des Plantes, Paris, 1904 (watercolour and pencil on paper) by Besnier, Fernand Auguste (d.1927); 53.6x69.8 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Jardin des Plantes, Paris)

Flying machine built by the locksmith Besnier, 1679 (chromolitho)
2815957 Flying machine built by the locksmith Besnier, 1679 (chromolitho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Flying machine built by the locksmith Besnier, 1679)

The purported flight of French locksmith Jacob Besnier, with the aid of a self-designed
2619137 The purported flight of French locksmith Jacob Besnier, with the aid of a self-designed flying apparatus, in 1678, from Les Merveilles de la Science

Les Jardins des Luxembourg, Paris, 1904 (watercolour and pencil on paper)
651376 Les Jardins des Luxembourg, Paris, 1904 (watercolour and pencil on paper) by Besnier, Fernand Auguste (d.1927); 53.6x69.8 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Les Jardins des Luxembourg, Paris)

Tapestry: Bacchus et Arainne, Bacchus change en raisin, from The Loves of the Gods Series; Woven after cartoons by Francois Boucher, French, 1703 - 1770, under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Oudry

Tapestry: Psyche at the Basketmakers; After design by Francois Boucher, French, 1703 - 1770, woven under the direction of Nicolas Besnier, French, 1714 - 1754, and Jean-Baptiste Oudry, French

Tapestry: The Abandonment of Psyche; After design by Francois Boucher, French, 1703 - 1770, and woven under the direction of Nicolas Besnier, French, 1714 - 1754, and Jean-Baptiste Oudry, French

The Toilette of Psyche from The Story of Psyche tapestry series; After design by Francois Boucher, French, 1703 - 1770, woven under the direction of Nicolas Besnier, French, 1714 - 1754

Tapestry: Psyche at Cupids Palace; After cartoon by Francois Boucher, French, 1703 - 1770, and woven under the direction of Nicolas Besnier, French, 1714 - 1754, and Jean-Baptiste Oudry, French

Besniers flying apparatus of 1678. Wood engraving, American, 1857
FLYING MACHINE, 1678. Besniers flying apparatus of 1678. Wood engraving, American, 1857

Besniers 17th century flying apparatus. 19th century American engraving
BESNIERs SYSTEM. Besniers 17th century flying apparatus. 19th century American engraving

Le Besniers Device
LE BESNIER, of Sable, France, could not rise from the ground, but launched from a height could cross a river with his flapping paddles

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"Exploring the Fascinating World of Besnier: From Locksmith to Aviation Pioneer" Step into the enchanting realm of Besnier, a name that transcends time and ventures into various realms of creativity. In 1679, the ingenious locksmith Jacob Besnier crafted a flying machine that ignited imaginations and paved the way for future aviation endeavors. A chromolithograph from this era captures the essence of his groundbreaking invention. Fast forward to 1904 in Paris, where Besnier's artistic talents flourished at Jardin des Plantes and Les Jardins des Luxembourg. With delicate strokes of watercolor and pencil on paper, he immortalized these picturesque landscapes, capturing their beauty for generations to come. Besnier's creative prowess extended beyond artistry alone; he also delved into confectionery delights. An advertising chromolithography showcases his delectable chocolates, tempting taste buds with their irresistible allure. The tapestries bearing Besnier's mark transport us further into his imaginative world. "Bacchus et Arainne" depicts Bacchus transforming into grapes while "Psyche at Cupids Palace" invites us to witness mythical tales unfold before our eyes. From "The Abandonment of Psyche" to "Psyche at the Basketmakers, " each tapestry weaves together stories that captivate our senses. Even centuries later, fascination with Besnier's flying apparatus endures through wood engravings created by American artists in the mid-19th century. These intricate illustrations depict both his original design from 1678 and an updated version from that era. As we delve deeper into history's treasure trove, we uncover how one man named Besnier left an indelible mark across diverse fields - from locksmithing to aviation innovation, artistry to culinary delights. His legacy continues to inspire dreamers worldwide as they explore new horizons fueled by imagination and ingenuity.