Source: Bibliothèque Nationale de France, F5001 (171)
Citation:
Privilege du Roy [Charles Le Brun], Paris (1656), Primary Sources on Copyright (1450-1900), eds L. Bently & M. Kretschmer, www.copyrighthistory.org
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Chapter 1 Page 1
Translation
Royal Privilege
Louis, by the Grace of God, King of France and of Navarre: To our beloved and loyal councillors, those men handling our court at the Parlement in Paris, the petitions to our hôtel and palace, our bailiffs, stewards, or their lieutenants, and all our other concerned officers and justices, salutations. Having been made fully aware of the reputation that our dear and beloved Charles Le Brun, Rector of our Academy of Painting and Sculpture had forged for himself by long and painful study, we have claimed and retained him in the charge of our Painter in ordinary, a charge he fulfils daily to our satisfaction and that of the public. And since there is a very notable interest in preserving this reputation that has travelled as far as foreign provinces, and that bad copies of his most excellent works, whose happy expressions inspire devotion in churches and serve as decoration in our palaces, could diminish or destroy it, unless such copies not expressly permitted by the said Le Brun were forbidden; he has very humbly begged us to provide the necessary Letters. Therefore, wishing to treat him favourably, recognising his services to us and to the public and wanting to oblige him to continue. We have permitted and permit him to have his works copied and reproduced by persons of his choice, and we very expressly prohibit and forbid in future all other printmakers and carvers, both our subjects and foreigners, who trade in our kingdom, and all other persons of whatever quality or status, to copy, engrave, or offer for sale the works of the said Le Brun, under whatever disguise, on pain of confiscation of these copies and a fine of fifteen hundred livres, payable half in support of the poor, and half to Le Brun, and with costs, fines and interests assigned in cases of actual contravention. We permit Le Brun to initiate seizure of these copies to the end of having them broken, struck, and suppressed and to proceed against offenders as he wills. So, we summon you, all and individually, and enjoining you that by our present privilege and its contents, you allow and suffer the said Le Brun to enjoy it fully and in peace. Further, we summon on this matter our first court usher or sergeant to assume responsibility for the entire execution of these present, for the summons, seizures and other acts necessary for its execution. We give him the necessary authority without further ado. For this is our pleasure. Given in [Paris] the [eighth day of May] in the year of Our Lord, sixteen hundred and fifty-six and the thirteenth year of our reign.
By the King.
Translation by: Katie Scott