French School, 19th Century The first manned hot air balloon ascent, Paris 1783 oil on panel 47.5 x 36cm (18 11/16 x 14 3/16in). Together with another work by a later hand, depicting hot air balloons. (2) Footnotes: The first untethered manned hot air balloon flight took place on 21 November 1783 in Paris, marking a landmark moment in the history of human flight. Developed by the pioneering Montgolfier brothers, Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne, the balloon carried Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent (Marquis d'Arlandes) on a remarkable 25-minute journey across the city, covering approximately nine kilometres. Launched from the grounds of the Château de la Muette before a large crowd, the flight demonstrated the viability of sustained aerial travel and captured the imagination of contemporary audiences, heralding a new era of scientific and technological innovation. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing