François-Étienne Blanchet: A Parisian Harpsichord Maker Bridging Baroque Elegance and Artistic Innovation François-Étienne Blanchet (c. 1695 – 1761) stands as a pivotal figure in the history of French harpsichord making, embodying the refined aesthetic sensibilities of the Baroque era while simultaneously demonstrating an astute understanding of musical innovation. Born in Reims, France, Blanchet’s life was inextricably linked to the vibrant artistic and intellectual currents flowing through Paris during his formative years—a city that would become both his home and the epicenter of his prol…