Vous avez la clef, mais il a trouve le serrure

Jean-Louis Anselin after Antoine Borel

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a scene inside a room with a canopy bed and open window as a couple stands near the door. The drawing captures an interior setting with rich detail. In the foreground, a luxurious canopy bed draped with curtains holds an occupant peacefully sleeping, surrounded by opulent bedding. Beside the bed stands an open window, revealing hints of greenery outside. Near the door, the composition shows a pair managing a ladder and being surprised by the scene on the bed. The room itself is adorned with finely carved woodwork and the etching is framed with a decorative border featuring fruit and floral motifs. The inclusion of French text at the bottom, "Vous avez la clef... mais il a trouvé la serrure," adds narrative depth. The overall stylistic choice communicates a balance of humor and the aesthetic typical of 18th-century art.