Szambelan, dyplomata i bankrut : Nicolas de Montargon w służbie Augusta II Sasa

The article examines elements of cultural transfer between France and Saxony during the reign of the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland Augustus the Strong. During his educational journey, the grand tour, across Europe in his youth, the future elector had an opportunity to get to know and admire the splendour of the Versailles court of Louis XIV. After becoming ruler on his own, he would choose those elements of French courtly culture which corresponded to his vision of rule and Saxon courtly culture. Augustus liked to order French works of art and brought to his court French artists, primarily musicians, singers and dancers. In order to achieve his goals, he used a network of contacts with professional commercial agents. In addition, it was possible to follow Parisian and Versailles trends also thanks to Frenchmen employed at the Dresden court. They included Nicolas de Montargon, who found a place at the Saxon court probably around 1705. He served first as Kammerherr, and then Kammerjunker. Operating on behalf of Augustus, he would initiate and supervise various purchases in Paris. His services were not limited to the elector — they also encompassed interested representatives of the Saxon elite. The Saxon elector also entrusted the courtier with minor diplomatic missions, primarily in France, where he knew the reality and the people quite well. During one of his missions (in 1720) he witnessed the collapse of John Law’s bank, to which he had entrusted a considerable part of his money. Until his death in 1722 Montargon remained a courtier of Augustus II, with whom his entire professional career was associated, dominated as it was by constant travels between Paris and Dresden. Despite the fact that he remained a quarter of a century in Augustus’ service, Montargon did not advance spectacularly in the court hierarchy, nor did he become - despite his efforts - a wealthy man.