Author(s):
grandville (nancy, 15–09–1803 - vanves, 17–03–1847), designer
bulla, joseph, editor
langlumé, pierre (poitiers, 1790 - 1830), designer-lithographer
other title: the metamorphoses of the day (title of the series)
production date: between 1828 and 1829
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: lithography, paper, gouache
dimensions - artwork:
height: 27. 8cm
width: 36. 4cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 15. 1cm
width: 17. 5cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
description:
engraving printed on paper and enhanced with gouache. Marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
signature - j. Granville
registration - the metamorphoses of the day n°15
registration - at bulla, rue st jacques n°38, and at martinet, rue du coq. Letter - pride and baseness
inscription - lith. By langlumé
iconographic description:
to the left of the image stands a richly dressed male figure, his arms crossed behind his back, his collar high and the pocket watch chain visible on his pocket. He has the head of a peacock and the open fan that he holds behind him acts as his tail. In front of him, a man dressed all in black bends in a very low reverence. He has the head of a lizard. Finally, a third figure stands behind the lizard man. He is paunchy and wears an official suit with scarf and tight stockings. He has the head of a turkey. All the animals are chosen to represent specific human character traits. Extract from métamorphoses du jour (editions gustave havard libraire, paris, 1854): "this peacock who puffs up and does a cartwheel, this superb character who casts from the height of his vanity a look of contempt and disdain on this needy solicitor, he is a man who spent his life appearing to be what he was not. [. . . ] and here is also the degrading position that the unfortunate people who go down to ask for something from him [. . . ] one cannot be more flexible, more humble, more flatly obsequious. Themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, customs, peacock, lizard, turkey, fan
mode of acquisition: purchase
date of acquisition: 21–02–1986
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal 925(r). Date: Entre 1828 et 1829.
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