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), printer-lithographer
giraldon-bovinet, editor
other title: les grisettes (title of the series)
date of production: 1827
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: vellum paper, watercolor, lithography
dimensions - artwork:
height: 27. 8cm
width: 21cm
dimensions - image:
height: 12. 8cm
width: 9cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 40cm
width: 30cm
description:
plate 35 from the series "les grisettes" by henry monnier, paris, giraldon et bovinet, 1827
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
inscription - above the image on the left: "grisettes" and on the right: "pl. 35" under the image on the left: "henry monnier" and on the right: "lith. De bernard" under the letter in the middle: "published by giraldon bovinet, passage vivienne, n°26"
caption - under the image: so you proudly have cousins
iconographic description:
a slender and elegant young man, playing with his cane and wearing a charming smile, cavalierly grabs the waist of a young woman, who, if she does not push him away, remains straight and with her eyes modestly lowered. 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 morals of their time often inspired the two artists in parallel on numerous subjects as we can see in the following extract: "--you came so early, my cousin," said cécile camusot, taking on a little cuddly air, "that you surprised us just as my mother was getting dressed. Cousin pons, who had not escaped the president's movement of the shoulders, was so cruelly affected, that he could not find a compliment to say, and he contented himself with this profound word: -- you are always charming, my little cousin! then turning to the mother and greeting her: -- dear cousin, he continued, you cannot blame me for coming a little earlier than usual, i am bringing you what you have given me the pleasure of asking. [excerpt from cousin pons, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
social subject, morals, grisette, cane, top hat
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal 98-108. Date: 1827.
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