Le vieux Sergent. BAL2007.82, En 1828

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 other title: songs of béranger (title of the series) production date: in 1828 dating in century: 19th century type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print name(s): print materials and techniques: laid paper, watercolor dimensions - artwork: height: 15. 2cm width: 22. 5cm dimensions - album: height: 15. 7cm width: 24cm description: colored engraving marks, inscriptions, hallmarks: title of the work - under the image: the old sergeant. Inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monnier inscription concerning the author - under the image on the right: lith de bernard. Iconographic description: an elderly man in military uniform sits in the shadow of the walls of his home. Two young women stand beside him, he places his hand on the edge of a cradle where two babies are sleeping. Illustration of the words of béranger's song "the old sergeant" of which here is an extract: "near the spinning wheel of his darling daughter the old sergeant distracts himself from his ailments, and, with a hand that the bullet has bruised, lulls two twin grandsons laughing. Sitting quietly on the threshold of the country roof, his only refuge after so many fights, he sometimes says: "it's not all to be born; "god, my children, gives you a beautiful trépas! » "béranger (1780-1857) was a prolific and extremely popular french singer whom balzac refers to in several of his novels. "this worthy gentleman particularly hated priests, he was part of this large herd of simpletons who subscribed to the constitutionnel, and was very concerned about the refusal of burials. He adored voltaire, although his preferences were for piron, vadé, collé. Naturally he admired béranger, whom he ingeniously called the high priest of lisette's religion. His daughters, madame camusot and madame protez, his two sons, would be, according to a popular expression, fallen from their height, if someone had explained to them what their father meant by: singing about mother godichon!” [excerpt from a beginning in life, by honoré de balzac] themes / subjects / places represented: literary scene, military (profession), young girl, infant = baby mode of acquisition: purchase institution: maison de balzac inventory number: bal2007. 82. Date: En 1828.