Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer-lithographer
delpech, françois seraphin (orléans, 1778 - 1825), printer
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: 26cm
width: 34. 5cm
dimensions - image:
height: 20. 3cm
width: 21cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 30cm
width: 40cm
description:
colored print
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
number - above image: 5. Title of the work - under the image: tapestries
inscription concerning the proof - in the lower right image: imp lith. By delpech
inscription concerning the author - in the lower left image: henry monnier
iconographic description:
two young ladies dressed in a showy and extravagant way (large hats, dresses covered with flowers, ribbons and frills), wait boredly seated on a comfortable sofa. No dancer shows up to be their date. Their unattractive looks make them miss out on the fun of the party (one has a very long nose, the other has very red cheeks and an inelegant attitude). 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: "-- well, let's start the list," said birotteau, "with the most upscale people. Write, césarine: monsieur le duc et madame la duchesse de lenoncourt. [. . . ] then monsieur le president of the commercial court, his wife and his two daughters. I forgot them in the authorities. Monsieur et madame lourdois and their daughter, monsieur claparon, banker, monsieur du tillet, monsieur grindot, monsieur molineux, pillerault and his owner, monsieur and madame camusot, the rich silk merchants, with their two sons, the one from the ecole polytechnique and the lawyer, who is going to be appointed judge, monsieur cardot and his children. Hey! crottat, célestin. . " [excerpt from history of the grandeur and decadence of césar birotteau, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, evening dress, rose, jewel
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal91. 140. Date: Unknown.
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