Author(s):
attributed to monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
attributed to delpech, françois seraphin (orléans, 1778 - 1825), designer-lithographer
other title: administrative morals (series title)
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: 36. 5cm
width: 26. 3cm
dimensions - image:
height: 14. 7cm
width: 18cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
description:
colored print
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - under the image: request for increase. Iconographic description:
in a richly furnished and decorated interior, an employee greets his boss. The latter standing, chin high and chest forward (he wears the rosette of the legion of honor) looks down on him. The employee is accompanied by a secretary, a file under his arm. Next to the boss stands a young man with a stern expression. 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. "here is my leader! the liberals called this state of things progress, rabourdin saw anarchy at the heart of power; because he saw as a result agitated intrigues, like those in the seraglio, between eunuchs, women and imbecile sultans, pettiness of nuns, secret annoyances, college tyrannies, diplomatic work to frighten an ambassador undertaken for a gratification or for a raise, [. . . ]" [excerpt from the employees or the superior woman, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, office worker, employer - boss, salute - curtsy
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal91. 34. Date: Unknown.
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