Early 19th - Antique French Print - Le Cabriolet Versé - Humorous Engraving - Rural Scene - Man Leading Donkey Cart - Passengers

This early 19th-century French print depicts a humorous rural scene titled 'Le Cabriolet Versé,' which translates to 'The Overturned Cabriolet.' The detailed engraving illustrates a man, presumably an old man, leading three small horses or donkeys pulling a two-wheeled cart, or cabriolet, which appears to have tipped. Two well-dressed passengers are seated in the cart, one a man looking somewhat amused or resigned, and the other a woman with an elaborate hat, observing the situation.

The scene captures a moment of comedic mishap on what seems to be a country road or path, flanked by trees and distant hills. The man in the foreground, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and simple attire, holds reins and a whip, guiding the animals. Below the main image, a French caption poses a question: 'le bon vieillard conduit à pied son grotesque attelage' which translates to 'the good old man leads his grotesque team on foot'. The print offers a glimpse into early 19th-century social commentary and everyday life in rural France, combining detailed artistry with a touch of wit.

This engraving was designed by Charles Abraham Chasselat (1782–1843), a talented French painter and illustrator active during the early 19th century. It was engraved by one or more anonymous engravers working in Paris and published around 1815–1820, during the late Empire or early Restoration period. Prints of this type typically appeared in refined illustrated books such as Scènes de la vie domestique, Scènes intéressantes de la vie privée, or Contes moraux illustrés — popular collections that combined moral storytelling with delicate visual interpretation. These works reflected the sentimental and didactic spirit of the time, portraying scenes of virtue, affection, and everyday emotion within elegant bourgeois or domestic settings.