Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
gaugain, henri-armand pierre, editor
ardit, e. , editor
other title: grisettes (series title)
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. 6cm
width: 19. 3cm
dimensions - image:
height: 12. 8cm
width: 8. 5cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 40cm
width: 30cm
description:
plate 8 from the series "les grisettes" by henry monnier, paris, ardit et gaugain, 1827
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
inscription - above the image on the left: "grisettes" and on the right in ink: "pl. 8" under the image on the left: "henry monnier" under the letter in the middle: "published by e. Ardit rue de la monnaie, n°11 and henry gaugain, r. Vivienne n°2"
caption - under the image: thank you, sir, i don't need anyone's arm
iconographic description:
a middle-aged man, dressed in a long overcoat and his top hat in his hand, stops a young woman in the street to ask her a question. The grisette is holding a large hat box. 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: "some rather harsh exclamations reached the ear of francine, who, after having said a word to her mistress, took refuge in the embrasure of a window. Marie stood up, turned towards the insolent group, cast a few glances full of dignity, even contempt. Her beauty, the elegance of her manners and her pride, suddenly changed the dispositions of her enemies and earned her a flattering murmur which escaped them. Two or three men, whose exterior betrayed the habits of politeness and gallantry which are acquired in the elevated sphere of the courts, approached mary with good grace; her decency commanded respect, none of them dared to speak to her, and far from being accused by them, it was she who seemed to judge them. [extract from les chouans ou la bretagne en 1799, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, grisette, gallantry
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal 98-125. Date: 1827.
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