Author(s):
wattier, émile charles (paris, 17–11–1800 - paris, 22–11–1868), designer-lithographer
engelmann, godefroy (mulhouse, 17–08–1788 - paris, 25–04–1839), engraver
other title: the conjugal ladder (title of the series)
production date: in 1824
dating in century: 19th century
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: lithography, vellum paper
dimensions - artwork:
height: 34cm
width: 25. 5cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 27. 3cm
width: 18cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
description:
colored lithograph on wove paper. Marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - above the image: "conjugal ladder"
caption - under the image: "7th descending ladder / the peace treaty"
author inscription - under the image on the left: "wattier delt. " / under the image on the right: "lith by g. Engelmann. " / under the caption on the right: "sazerac and duval editor passage de l'opéra staircase a". Iconographic description:
emile wattier suggests following the evolution of a couple, by establishing two series of eight illustrations – i. Illusions, ii. The realities - where each corresponds to a level, either ascending or descending, of a stage in the lives of the two lovers. Here, the artist presents a turning point in the life of the couple: "the peace treaty", which corresponds to the legal separation, when the spouses no longer have a married life, a judicial decision which grants the spouses several rights, such as that of no longer living in the same home - divorce being prohibited between 1816 and 1884. We are at the notary: on the left, a cassette containing the lady's jewelry is placed. On the table, the husband, sitting wearily holding his forehead, counts coins, wearing a long coat. In front of him, a notary dressed in black stares at him behind his glasses, holding bags of coins against him, holding in the other hand the pen which will be used to ratify the treaty. The contrast is striking with the expression of the woman, who turns a languid face towards her new lover, a young dandy lurking in the shadows, half-hidden behind the notary, and who looks at his companion with a bravado. The latter is elegantly dressed in a large hat tied under the chin and decorated with three feathers and a bow. Her blonde, curly hair frames her face. On her long dress decorated at the bottom with blue stripes and floral patterns, flowers being sewn on it, she wears a purple cape closed with a golden cord, which she lifts with a coquettish gesture. She is wearing fine knotted shoes. Perched on a bookcase, the bust of a devilish and caprine figure dominates the scene – the horns may evoke the situation of the cuckolded husband. This theme, dear to balzac, is found in one of his first writings: the physiology of marriage. “if, to obtain peace, or for love, you recognize the so-called rights of women, you leave yours an advantage from which she will benefit eternally. »
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, couple, cuckold, demon, money
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal98. 207. Date: En 1824.
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