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. 4cm
dimensions - image:
height: 27. 4cm
width: 17. 8cm
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: "4th descending echelon / the quarrel"
author inscription - under the image on the left: "wattier delt. " / under the image on the right: "by g. Engelmann" / under the caption on the right: "sazerac et 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 the situation of the couple which escalates with the quarrel. The movement and violence of the exchange are rendered by the coat which is lifted, the scattered hair of the young woman whose bun begins to unravel, and the bills waving in the wind under a golden vase. Indeed, the reason for the quarrel seems to be these bills that the dandy points to with one finger, furious, his left hand raised in a gesture of incomprehension. We can read on these invoices placed on the table “cashmere 25,000”, “flowers 2400f”, “mémoire modes 3000f”, “shoemaker 800f”. Annoyed, the wife brings her two arms forward, at the height of her husband's bust. The couple's darkening situation is seen even in the ruffled dress and dull gray shoes worn by the wife. A mirror is also placed on the table. This theme, dear to balzac, is found in one of his first writings: the physiology of marriage. “from there arose a quarrel which in an instant became serious by the bitterness of the respective replies. »
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, couple, accounting document
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal98. 204. Date: En 1824.
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