LOIRE-ATLANTIQUE (44) - "Ruins of the Château de MACHECOUL" (also known as the "Château de Gilles de Rais"). 19th century. Original DRAWING by Félix Benoist (1818–1896) in graphite on mounted China paper. PREPARATORY DRAWING for the lithograph titled “Ruins of the Château de Machecoul,” for the album “NANTES AND THE LOWER LOIRE” published in 1865 by Charpentier. Provenance: Collection of the Charpentier studio, directed by Pierre-Henri (1788–1854) and his son Henri-Désiré (1806–1883), printers and publishers based in Paris, then in Nantes (from 1854 onward). 20 x 29 cm for the image. 26.5 x 35.5 cm overall. Condition A (good condition).