Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
delpech, françois seraphin (orléans, 1778 - 1825), publisher
dating in century: 19th century
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: vellum paper, watercolor, lithography
dimensions - artwork:
height: 25cm
width: 33. 3cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 17. 1cm
width: 14. 6cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
description:
colored print
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - above the image: six quartiers de paris by henry monnier 1828. Registration concerning the test - under the image: paris delpech quai voltaire, n°3. Author inscription - in the image, bottom right: henry monnier
iconographic description:
six characters standing and dressed in costumes typical of a state, a profession (coachman, bourgeois, etc. ). 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 customs of their time often inspired the two artists in parallel on numerous subjects as we can see in the following extract: "we do not know (it is true that we have not yet appointed a commission to study this phenomenon) we do not know how or why the districts of paris are deteriorating and becoming sluggish, morally as well as physically; how the residence of the court and the church, the luxembourg and the latin quarter become what they are today, despite one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, despite the audacious dome of sainte-geneviève, that of mansard in val-de-grâce, and the charms of the jardin des plantes! why the elegance of life is disappearing" [excerpt from les petits bourgeois, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
social subject, morals, costume, paris
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal96-14-1. Date: Unknown.
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