Philippe Francois Bellanger, the "Lucky Blind Man"

[ca. 1750–1920]

Philippe Francois Bellanger was a pyrotechnics specialist who later became a vendor of French National Lottery tickets. Central portrait of Bellanger is surrounded by four small scenes possibly related to crafting fireworks. In his portrait he appears to be blind in one eye. Text: Dite Aveugle Du Bonheur, Age De 55 Ans Natif De Paris. Rough translation: Philippe Francois Bellanger, called "the Happy Blind Man", age 55, native of Paris.