Pier Leone Ghezzi Rome 1674 - 1755

Monsieur Ceron was the major domo of Cardinal Melchior de Polignac (see the previous lot).  Originally from Normandy, Ceron served Polignac for many years, until his death at the age of 73, on 25 January 1729.  Ghezzi was extremely fond of this man, always trustworthy and correct in his behaviour, and preserved his memory in another version of this caricature, drawn on 3 February 1729, and now in the Vatican Library (Fondo Ottoboni Latino, inv. no. 3116, f.52).  As well as recording the personalities of Polignac's retinue, Ghezzi worked with Panini to design the decorations for the celebrations that the Cardinal organised in Rome, to celebrate the birth of the Dauphin, on 4 September 1729.