Les bénédictions, BAL2007.24, En 1828

Author(s): monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer gérard (designer), 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 blessings inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monnier author inscription - under the image on the right: lith. Gérard, joinville. Iconographic description: in a rural setting, a vicar dressed all in black is surrounded by women and children, two of whom are busy near a basin. Illustration of the words of béranger's song "les bénédictions" of which here is an extract: "certain mortals have the gift of spreading happiness and joy wherever their steps go. In the old days we were not mistaken, witness these words that as a child i was able to understand: o good old man, deign to come to us; blessed by god, come and bless us all. " béranger (1780-1857) is 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, priest, child, countryside mode of acquisition: purchase institution: maison de balzac inventory number: bal2007. 24. Date: En 1828.