Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
bernard, charles louis (paris, 29–06–1769 - paris, 11–09–1848), designer-lithographer
giraldon and bovinet, editor
other title: recreation (series title)
dating in century: 19th century
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: vellum paper, watercolor, lithography
dimensions - artwork:
height: 23. 2cm
width: 31. 4cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 14. 2cm
width: 19. 3cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
description:
colored print
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
wet stamp - t. H. : a m and 2 r mirrored in an oval
title of the work - above the image: recreations
number - above the image on the right: pl. 23
caption - in the image, at the bottom: respectable society. Inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monnier under the image on the right: lith de bernard. Registration concerning the test - under the image: published by giraldon bovinet, passage vivienne, n°26, in paris. Iconographic description:
around a large french billiards table (which we recognize by its lack of pocket size) several players crowd, cues in hand, waiting to play. The referee in dark clothing stands back to the right. The games room is very busy, in the background a waiter is holding a tray and some of the bourgeois are sitting and reading. Actor, playwright and designer, henry monnier helped illustrate la comédie humaine. His engravings of administrative morals, and especially his play scenes from bureaucratic life, clearly inspired balzac for his novel la femme supérieure, renamed les employés. The same references to the customs of their time often inspired the two artists in parallel on numerous subjects as we can see in the following extract: "and everyone has their passions. For me it's billiards. Without billiards, i would eat in money; because, understand this! he said, looking for a paper in the pocket of his torn pants, the billiards takes the small glass and the plum to the brandy. It's ruinous, like all beautiful things things, by accessories. " [excerpt from la cousine bette, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, billiards
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal91. 68. Date: Unknown.
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